THE  LIBRARY  OF  THE 
UNIVERSITY  OF 
NORTH  CAROLINA 


i 


THE  LIBRARY  OF  THE 
UNIVERSITY  OF 
NORTH  CAROLINA 
AT  CHAPEL  HILL 


ENDOWED  BY  THE 
DIALECTIC  AND  PHILANTHROPIC 
SOCIETIES 


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This  book  is  due  at  the  LOUIS  R.  WILSON  LIBRARY  on  the 
last  date  stamped  under  "Date  Due."  If  not  on  hold  it  may  be 
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Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 
in  2014 


https://archive.org/details/freemasonrywhenwOOthor 


George  Thornburgh 


FREEMASONRY 

WHEN,  WHERE,  HOW? 

A  HISTORY  OP  OPERATIVE  AND  SPECULA- 
TIVE  FREEMASONRY,  FROM  THEIR 
ORIGIN  UNTIL  THE  PRESENT- 
YORK  AND  SCOTTISH  RITE 

TOGETHER  WITH 

A  HISTORY  OF  THE  ORDER  EASTERN 
STAR  AND  OF  THE  MYSTIC 

SHRINE.  WSqoS 


By 

GEORGE  THORNBURGH,  33°,  Hon. 
Past  Grand  Master 


Little  Rock,  Ark. 
1914. 


Copyright,  1914,  by 
GEORGE  THORNBURGH 


DEDICATION. 

To  the  Masons  of  Arkansas,  in  whose 
fellowship  I  have,  for  nearly  half  a  cen- 
tury, found  joy,  and  whose  friendship  I 
prize  above  pearls  and  rubies,  this  volume 
is  fraternally  dedicated. 


54 

11 


COMMENDATORY. 


From  the  very  beginning  of  my  Masonic  life,  and  dur- 
ing the  subsequent  years  of  study  of  the  sublime  symbol- 
ism and  history  of  Freemasonry,  the  greatest  of  the 
sciences,  I  have  often  lamented  the  fact  that  a  concise,  read- 
able, yet  comprehensive  history  of  our  order  was  not  avail- 
able, or,  at  least.  I  had  not  seen  one  that  measured  up  to 
my  conception  of  the  foregoing  requirements. 

Most  readers  desire  a  history  shorn  of  abstruse  expres- 
sions, high-sounding  phrases,  or  extravagant  and  fanciful 
statements. 

The  writer  has  known  the  author  of  this  history  for 
years,  and  has  been  intimately  associated  with  him  in  Ma- 
sonic work.  Brother  Thornburgh's  name  is  a  household 
word  among  the  Craft  in  Arkansas,  because  of  the  invalu- 
able work  he  has  accomplished  as  editor  of  the  Trowel 
for  twenty-seven  years,  and  as  Grand  Commander.  Ghra 
High  Priest.  Grand  Master,  and  Grand  Patron.  To  state 
that  he  is  in  every  way  pre-eminently  qualified  to  write  a 
readable  and  reliable  history  is  but  to  voice  a  sentiment 
universal  among  Masons,  not  only  of  this  State,  but  of 
other  States  as  well :  that  he  has  written  such  a  history,  a 
careful  perusal  of  these  pages  will  reveal. 

So  great  is  the  value  of  this  history  that  even  the 
strongest  possible  words  of  indorsement  from  the  writer 
fail  to  express  his  sense  of  appreciation  of  the  book. 

May  the  author  be  spared  many  years  to  bless  the  Craft 
with  his  useful  labors,  his  kindly  encouragement  and  his 
helpful  advice,  and  may  this  volume  accomplish  much  good, 
is  my  earnest  prayer. 

Baker  Clark. 
Grand  Lecturer. 


PREFACE. 


This  is  not  a  picture  book.  It  is  pleasing  to  look  upon 
the  faces  of  those  we  honor,  but  the  limitation  is  such,  as 
to  the  size  and  price  of  the  book,  that,  besides  the  author, 
I  show  only  the  picture  of  the  head  of  each  of  the  two 
Rites  in  Arkansas,  Brother  Mills,  the  Grand  Master  of  the 
York  Rite,  and  Brother  Rosenbaum,  Inspector  General  of 
the  Scottish  Rite.  These  are  obviously  proper;  beyond 
them  I  would  be  at  a  loss  as  to  where  to  begin  and  with 
whom  to  quit. 

Nor  is  it  a  biography.  I  wish  it  were  practicable  to 
give  the  records  of  the  many  noble  men  who  have  guided 
the  Craft  in  the  past  and  of  the  splendid  ones  who  honor 
its  ranks  today.  There  is  material  in  Arkansas  Freemasonry 
for  a  most  interesting  book  of  biography.  Among  those 
who  have  filled  the  offices  in  the  fraternity  were  men  of 
the  highest  standing  in  church,  State  and  society;  honored 
chief  justices,  learned  judges,  great  lawyers,  distinguished 
preachers,  eminent  physicians  and  successful  business  men. 
And  we  are  proud  of  the  men  who  are  now  at  the  helm. 

But  this  is  a  history,  and  only  incidentally  are  men 
mentioned  (Washington  and  Pike  excepted).  That  so 
many  Masons  know  but  little  of  the  when,  where  and  how 
of  Freemasonry  is  not  so  much  because  of  a  lack  of  in- 
terest in  the  subject,  as  want  of  opportunity  to  inform 
themselves.  Few  have  the  time  or  means  to  devote  to  large 
and  expensive  books,  which  in  the  end  do  not  make  clear 
the  truth.  I  present  this  history  in  plain  language,  boiled 
down  and  stripped  of  speculation,  with  the  hope  that  it 
will  be  studied  and  appreciated.  If  so,  I  shall  feel  happy 
in  the  thought  that  I  have  been  helpful  to  my  fellow-men. 

I  thank  Brother  F.  W.  Kidd  for  permission  to  use 
material  from  his  book,  the  editors  of  the  Tyler-Keystone 
for  permission  to  use  the  Ritual  of  the  Operative  Masons, 
and  Brother  C.  E.  Rosenbaum  for  valuable  assistance  in 
preparing  the  Scottish  Rite  material. 

George  Thornburgh. 

Little  Rock,  Ark.,  August  1,  1914. 


APPROVAL  OF  SCOTTISH  RITE  HISTORY. 

The  chapters  in  this  book,  covering  the  history  of  Scot- 
tish Rite  Masonry,  have  been  carefully  read  by  me,  and  I 
very  cheerfully  commend  them  as  containing  correct  in- 
formation of  value  to  brethren  interested. 
Fraternally, 

Charles  E.  Bosenbaum,  33°, 
Sovereign  Grand  Inspector  General  in  Arkansas. 


FREEMASONRY 

WHEN,  WHERE,  HOW? 


THE  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY. 

Over  and  over  again  the  question  has  been  asked,  What 
is  the  origin  of  speculative  ' '  Free  and  Accepted  Masonry  ? ' ' 

The  day  of  accepting  vague  tradition  is  rapidly  pass- 
ing and  intelligent  Masons  are  inquiring  for  themselves 
for  historical  facts,  as  well  as  for  authentic  traditions.  In 
their  zeal  for  the  antiquity  of  the  Fraternity,  orators  and 
writers  have  traced  it  back  to  the  Garden  of  Eden.  Less 
enthusiastic  ones  have  contented  themselves  with  stopping 
at  the  building  of  King  Solomon's  Temple.  The  latter, 
by  reason  of  the  symbols  and  language  used,  are  less 
unreasonable,  but  in  truth  there  is  no  real  historical 
relation  between  King  Solomon's  Temple  and  Speculative 
Freemasonry. 

Speculative  Masonry,  which  is  the  Freemasonry  of 
today  in  this  country,  is  the  outgrowth,  the  child  of  Opera- 
tive Masonry. 


OPERATIVE  FREEMASONRY. 

To  give  intelligently  the  history  of  Speculative  or  Sym- 
bolic Freemasonry,  we  must  first  give  briefly  the  history 
of  Operative  Masonry.  In  all  ages  of  the  world,  and  espe- 
cially since  the  building  of  King  Solomon's  Temple,  there 
have  been  skilled  artisans  distinguished  from  ordinary 
workmen.  Among  the  most  noted  of  them  were  the  work- 
ers in  stone,  called  masons.  The  word  6 6 Mason"  comes 
from  the  Latin  "maconetus,"  meaning  "a  builder." 

Skilled  Operative  Masons  plied  their  trade  in  England, 
France  and  Italy,  during  the  Middle  Ages,  and  were  famed 
for  the  character  of  their  work.   They  were  not  only  build- 


8 


FREEMASONRY— WHEN,  WHERE,  HOW? 


ers,  but  were  architects  as  well.  They  stamped  their  indi- 
viduality on  every  building.  They  had  so  far  advanced  as 
skilled  Masons  as  to  be  a  privileged  class,  free  to  travel 
wherever  they  pleased,  and  to  plan  and  erect  buildings 
exempt  from  the  taxes  and  limitations  imposed  upon  the 
less  skilled  workers.  Being  free  as  to  territory  and  taxes, 
and  free  as  to  the  character  of  the  work  they  undertook, 
they  were  called  Free  Masons.  They  built  many  churches, 
cathedrals  and  other  stately  edifices,  some  of  which  still 
exist.  These  operatives  traveled  much  in  the  performance 
of  their  work.  In  those  days,  writing  was  not  common  and 
diplomas  were  unknown.  So,  in  order  to  be  accredited  with 
each  other  as  Craftsmen,  a  system  of  passwords  and  signs 
was  adopted  which  enabled  each  to  prove  to  the  others 
that  he  had  been  regularly  taught  his  trade,  and  was  no 
pretender  or  cowan.  These  ancient  Operative  M&sons  had 
their  regulations  by  which  a  young  man  was  admitted  as 
an  apprentice,  taught  his  work  and  became  entitled  to  prac- 
tice his  trade.  They  easily  and  early  fell  into  the  custom 
of  meeting  in  lodges.  From  time  to  time  ceremonies  for 
receiving  members  were  adopted  and  a  Ritual  was  formu- 
lated. 

In  A.  D.  926  the  Operative  Masons  were  granted  a 
charter  for  a  regular  organization,  empowering  them  to 
meet  annually  at  York,  where  the  first  Grand  Lodge  was 
organized,  at  which  Edwin,  the  brother  of  King  Athelstan, 
presided  as  Grand  Master.  Operative  Masonry  was  a 
religion  and  a  trade  combined. 

I  am  sure  that  it  will  be  interesting  as  well  as  profit- 
able for  me  to  give,  first  of  all,  the  ceremonies  of  conferring 
the  degrees  in  the  Operative  Lodges.  Their  similarity  to 
the  ceremonies  of  the  Speculatives  will  impress  the  Masonic 
student. 

I  have  gathered  the  information  from  various  sources, 
but  give  credit  for  most  of  the  descriptions  which  follow 
to  "The  Ritual  of  Operative  Freemasons, ' '  written  by 
Thomas  Carr,  M.  D.,  who  is  still  living,  and  who  is  an  hon- 


OPERATIVE  FREEMASONRY 


9 


orary  member  of  a  Guild  of  Operative  Freemasons,  as  well 
as  a  Past  Master  of  a  Lodge  of  Speculative  Masons. 

The  form  of  the  petition  to  an  Operative  Lodge  for 
apprenticeship  was  as  follows : 

"I,  ,  being  the  son  of  a  Free  Man  and 

 years  of  age,  humbly  crave  to  be  made  an  appren- 
tice to  the  Ancient  and  Honorable  Craft.  I  am  prompted 
by  a  favorable  opinion  preconceived  of  the  fraternity,  and 
I  desire  full  knowledge  to  enable  me  to  work  at  the  trade. 
I  promise  that  I  will  conform  to  all  the  ancient  usages  and 
established  customs  of  the  Order." 

The  candidate  had  to  be  proposed  by  one  Mason,  sec- 
onded by  another  and  supported  by  five  more.  The  appli- 
cation for  apprenticeship  was  posted  at  the  entrance  of  the 
quarry  or  workshop  for  fourteen  days.  On  three  occasions 
he  must  stand  by  his  application,  when  the  men  are  going 
to  and  from  work,  so  that  all  may  see  him;  and  if  anyone 
knows  anything  against  him,  it  must  be  reported  at  the 
head  office,  and  the  matter  investigated.  If  accepted,  he  had 
to  appear  on  the  appointed  day — the  sixth  of  the  week — 
at  high  twelve,  at  the  quarry  or  workship.  He  applies  at 
the  door,  and  is  admitted  on  giving  the  proper  password, 
which  had  been  given  him.  He  is  admitted  within  the 
entrance  of  the  Lodge,  usually  a  porch  with  double  doors, 
and  takes  an  oath  not  to  reveal  any  part  of  the  proceed- 
ings. This  is  sealed  by  his  kissing  the  book.  The  candi- 
date puts  his  fee  on  the  lower  ledge  of  a  foot  stone. 

It  may  be  interesting  just  at  this  point  to  describe 
briefly  the  Lodge  room  of  the  Operatives,  as  they  are  about 
to  confer  the  first  degree.  There  are  three  Masters.  They 
sit  in  the  west  so  that  they  face  and  can  see  the  rising  sun. 
The  Junior  Warden  sits  in  the  north  so  that  he  can  see  the 
sun  at  its  meridian  height,  and  the  Senior  Warden  sits  in 
the  east  so  that  he  can  see  the  setting  sun.  The  altar  is 
in  the  center  of  the  Lodge;  over  it  is  suspended  the  letter 
G,  and  the  Rough  Ashlar  stone  is  on  its  east  side.  There 


10  FREEMASONRY— WHEN,  WHERE,  HOWf 


are  three  Deacons  present,  one  for  the  Masters  and  one  for 
each  Warden. 

Inside  the  porch  the  candidate  is  divested  of  all  money 
and  hoodwinked.  Then  three  men  come  out  of  the  Lodge, 
divest  him  of  all  his  clothes,  and  dirty  him  with  mud.  The 
doctor  then  arrives  and  removes  the  hoodwink.  He  is  told 
to  '  '  Wash  and  be  clean."  The  bath  is  ready  and  the  can- 
didate bathes.  Seven  times  does  he  dip.  The  doctor  then 
examines  him  to  see  that  he  is  sound  in  wind  and  limb  and 
reports  him  "perfect  in  all  his  parts."  Then  he  is  elected 
by  the  "clean-hand"  sign.  He  is  clothed  in  a  white  cloak, 
whence  the  original  symbolism  of  white,  signifying  a  candi- 
date, is  obtained,  the  word  candidate  meaning  literally 
"I  am  white."  The  candidate  is  again  hoodwinked,  still 
clothed  in  the  white  cloak.  He  has  also  a  blue  cord  looped 
around  his  neck,  held  by  a  man-  in  front  and  a  man  behind, 
and  a  second  blue  cord  around  his  center,  held  by  a  man 
on  each  side.  The  neck  cord  being  longer  than  the  center 
cord,  the  four  men  make  a  diamond,  with  the  candidate  in 
the  center.  This  diamond  had  a  reference  to  Operative 
Masonry,  and  the  candidate  and  his  four  attendants  make 
"five  points,"  which  has'  another  reference  to  Operative 
methods. 

The  candidate  now  makes  application  at  the  inner  door. 
The  sword  is  held  to  his  n.  1.  b.  so  as  to  draw  blood.  He 
is  then  admitted  and  led  to  the  N.  E.  corner.  Here  he 
is  questioned.  What  age  are  you  ?  What  is  your  character  ? 
What  is  your  knowledge  ?  Where  have  you  been  working  ? 
Have  you  been  a  member  of  any  Guild  or  Company  before? 
Do  you  swear  you  have  never  been  expelled,  discharged  or 
"run  away"  from  any  work?  In  all  cases  of  D.  and  D.  I. 
W.  D.  you  put  y.  t.  ?  In  El  Shaddai  is  all  my  t.  Right. 
Rise.  The  brothers  in  the  E.,  S.,  W.,  and  N.  will  take  notice 

that  — '  is  about  to  pass  before  them.   He  is  asked  if  he 

sees  anything.  He  replies  No,  and  the  hoodwink  is  slightly 
raised  so  that  by  bending  his  head  a  little  forward  he  is 
able  to  see  his  own  feet  and  two  or  three  feet  in  front  of 


OPERATIVE  FREEMASONRY 


11 


them.  He  is  then  cautioned  to  keep  strictly  to  the  track 
or  tessellated  border,  and  is  led  once  around  it.  He  has  put 
one  foot  in  front  of  the  other,  toe  to  heel,  and  so  on;  it  is 
called  "end  on  work,"  or  "work  in  line."  The  candidate 
has  to  make  this  perambulation  once  correctly  without  fail- 
ure. From  the  N.  E.  corner  he  goes  to  the  S.  E.,  then 
to  S.  W.,  then  to  N.  W.  Then  he  comes  to  the  Junior 
Warden,  who  bars  his  progress.  On  due  report  the  bar  is 
raised  and  the  candidate  proceeds.  Then  back  to  the  N.  E. 
corner  and  to  Senior  Warden,  who  bars  progress  again. 
On  due  report^ithe  bar  is  removed  and  then  a  strip  of  scarlet 
is  laid  down  leading  to  the  Rough  Ashlar  stone  on  the  east 
side  of  the  altar,  so  that  the  candidate  shall  not  step  on  the 
squares  of  the  Mosaic  Pavement  as  he  is  led  to  the  Ashlar 
stone.  Here  he  kneels  with  both  knees  bare  on  the  rough 
Ashlar  stone,  with  the  left  hand  S.  T.  H.  B.  T.  E.  R.  T. 

It  is  interesting  to  note  that  this  is  still  preserved  as 
a  sign  in  the  Lodges  under  the  Scotch  Grand  Lodge,  as  well 
as  among  the  Operative  Freemasons. 

He  then  takes  the  following  obligation : 

"I,   ,  do,  in  the  presence  of  El  Shaddai 

and  of  this  worshipful  assembly  of  Freemasons,  Rough 
Masons,  Wallers,  Slaters,  Paviors,  Plaisterers  and  Brick- 
layers, promise  and  declare  that  I  will  not  at  any  time 
hereafter,  by  any  act  or  circumstance  whatsoever,  directly 
or  indirectly,  write,  print,  cut,  mark,  publish,  discover, 
reveal  or  make  known  any  part  or  parts  of  the  trade  secrets, 
privileges  or  councils  of  the  Worshipful  Fraternity  or  Fel- 
lowship of  Freemasonry,  which  I  may  have  known  at  any 
time,  or  at  any  time  hereafter  shall  be  made  known  unto 
me. 

"The  penalty  for  breaking  this  great  oath  shall  be  the 
loss  of  my  life. 

' •  That  I  shall  be  branded  with  the  mark  of  the  traitor 
and  slain  according  to  ancient  customs  by  being  throat- 


12 


FKEEMASONRY— WHEN,  WHERE,  HOW? 


ailed.  *  *  *  SO  THAT  MY  SOUL  HAVE  NO  REST 
BY  NIGHT  OR  DAY. 

' '  Given  under  my  hand  and  sealed  with  my  lips. 

■ '  So  help  me  El  Shaddai  and  the  holy  contents  of  this 
book." 

The  form  of  these  oaths  explains  the  archaic  form 
of  the  obligation  in  the  Speculative  Ritual.  People  of  the 
Middle  Ages  believed  the  soul  could  not  rest  unless  the 
body  was  properly  buried,  hence  the  craving  was  for  Chris- 
tian burial.  It  is  really  the  remnant  of  a  Pagan  idea 
transmitted  to  Christian  times.  The  ancient  Romans  be- 
lieved that  the  soul  of  an  unburied  body  could  not  pass 
the  Styx  for  at  least  a  hundred  years. 

There  is  no  doubt  that  in  ancient  times  it  was  con- 
templated that  these  penalties  should  be  actually  inflicted; 
indeed,  at  a  time  when  physical  mutilation  such  as  ampu- 
tation of  a  hand,  and  hanging,  drawing  and  quartering 
were  still  in  our  statute  books,  there  was  nothing  incongru- 
ous in  such  an  oath.  Papworth  and  Gould  record  that  in 
1099  a  Bishop  of  Utrecht  was  slain  for  extracting  the  grand 
secret  from  the  son  of  a  Master  Mason. 

After  taking  the  obligation  the  candidate  is  requested 
to  seal  it  with  his  lips.  As  his  lips  are  brought  to  the  book, 
a  large  seal  of  soft  wax  is  placed  underneath  them;  his 
head  is  forcibly  pushed  downward  so  that  an  actual  im- 
pression of  his  lips  is  taken  by  the  wax,  and  his  obligation 
is  "sealed  with  his  lips"  actually  and  literally.  When 
the  obligation  is  finished  the  Master  says  to  the  Deacons, 
"Give  light  that  he  may  place  his  hand  to  the  bond."  A 
pen  is  put  in  his  hand,  and  he  signs  the  bond,  "Given  under 
my  hand  and  sealed  with  my  lips." 

The  candidate  is  then  assisted  to  rise  with  the  words, 
"Rise,  apprentice  to  the  Craft  of  Freemasons." 

He  is  then  given  the  grip,  which  is  the  same  as  that 
of  the  Speculatives,  only  it  must  be  "covered;"  and  the 
word  is  "Jabal."    Then  the  charge  is  given  as  follows: 


OPERATIVE  FREEMASONRY 


13 


CHARGE  TO  THE  APPRENTICE  TO  THE  CRAFT 
OF  FREEMASONS. 

1.  You  shall  truly  honor  El  Shaddai,  and  his  holy 
church,  the  King,  your  Master,  and  Warden;  you  shall 
not  absent  yourself,  but  with  the  license  of  one  or  both 
of  them  from  their  service,  by  day  or  by  night. 

2.  You  shall  not  purloin  or  steal,  or  be  privy  or  ac- 
cessory to  the  purloining  or  stealing  of  the  value  of  six 
pense  from  them  or  either  of  them. 

3.  You  shall  not  commit  adultery  or  fornication  in 
the  house  of  your  Master,  with  his  wife,  daughter  or  maid. 

4.  You  shall  not  disclose  your  Master's  or  Warden's 
secrets  or  councils,  which  they  have  reported  unto  you,  or 
what  is  to  be  concealed,  spoken  or  done  within  the  privities 
of  their  house,  by  them  or  either  of  them,  or  by  any  Free- 
mason. 

5.  You  shall  not  maintain  any  disobedient  argument 
with  your  Master,  Warden,  or  any  Freemason. 

6.  You  shall  reverently  behave  yourself  toward  all 
Freemasons,  using  neither  cards,  dice  or  any  other  unlawful 
games,  Christmas  time  excepted. 

7.  You  shall  not  haunt  or  frequent  any  taverns  or 
alehouses,  or  so  much  as  to  go  inside  any  of  them,  except 
it  be  your  Master's  or  your  Warden's,  with  their  or  the 
one  of  their  consents. 

8.  You  shall  not  commit  adultery  or  fornication  in 
any  man's  house  where  you  shall  be  at  table  or  work. 

9.  You  shall  not  marry,  or  contract  yourself  to  any 
woman  during  your  apprenticeship. 

10.  You  shall  not  steal  any  man's  goods,  but  especially 
your  Master's  or  any  of  his  fellow-Miasons,  nor  suffer  any 
to  steal  their  goods,  but  shall  hinder  the  felon  if  you  can ; 
and  if  you  cannot,  then  you  shall  acquaint  the  Master  and 
his  fellows  presently. 


14 


FREEMASONRY— WHEN,  WHERE,  HOW? 


11.  All  these  articles  and  charges,  which  I  have  now 
recited  unto  you,  you  shall  well  and  truly  observe,  perform 
and  keep  to  the  best  of  your  power  and  knowledge. 

So  help  you  El  Shaddai  and  the  true  and  holy  contents 
of  this  book. 

From  this  charge  you  will  see  that  the  Operative  Free- 
masons require  their  apprentices  to  respect  chastity  of  the 
womenkind  of  Freemasons.  It  is  also  noteworthy  that 
the  dame  of  the  house  where  they  hold  a  Lodge  is  pro- 
tected, and  she  is  also  sworn  not  to  lead  any  member  of 
the  Craft  into  sin. 

The  candidate  is  then  actually  presented  with  his 
working  tools,  which  are  the  chisel,  the  small  maul  and 
the  straight  edge,  and  is  invested  with  the  apprentice's 
apron. 

Be  is  next  taken  to  the  N.  E.  corner  stone.  Here 
he  is  asked  by  the  foreman  how  he  is  going  to  live  until 
he  draws  his  first  week's  money.  If  he  says  he  is  poor, 
then  his  foreman  takes  him  before  the  Masters  in  the  chair, 
and  reports  that  he  has  no  means  of  living.  The  Masters 
crave  charity  for  him  and  a  collection  is  taken  on  his  behalf. 
(This  is,  doubtless,  the  origin  of  the  deposit  Speculative 
Freemasons  ask  of  the  candidate.)  If,  however,  he  says 
he  has  money  or  will  live  with  his  father,  no  collection  is 
made.  For  seven  years  he  remains  an  apprentice,  being 
taught  his  trade.  During  this  time  he  wears  his  blue  neck 
cord  as  a  sign  that  he  is  still  bound  as  an  apprentice. 

This  wearing  a  collar  as  a  sign  of  bondage  is  a  very 
old  custom.  In  Anglo-Saxon  and  Norman  days,  serfs  and 
bondsmen  were  accustomed  to  wear  collars  of  metal  se- 
curely riveted  around  their  necks.  (In  many  jurisdictions 
the  blue  collar  is  now  worn  and  in  some  Lodges  in  Arkan- 
sas they  are  found.  They  are  worn  by  the  officers  and  the 
jewels  are  suspended  from  the  lower  end  of  them.) 

At  the  end  of  the  seven  years  the  apprentice  applies 
to  be  made  free  of  his  bond.    The  following  application 


OPERATIVE  FKEEMASONRY 


15 


has  to  be  posted  up  at  the  entrance  of  the  stoneyard  quarry 
or  works. 

"Application  to  the  Superintendent  of  the  Works  of  the 
Worshipful  Society  of  Freemasons,  Rough  Masons, 
Wallers,  Slaters,  Plaisterers  and  Bricklayers. 

1 6 1,   :  ,  having  well  and  truly  served  as 

an  entered  apprentice  to  the  Craft  of  Freemasons  for  seven 
years,  and  being  to  the  full  age  of  twenty-one  years,  humbly 
crave  to  be  made  free  of  that  bond,  to  enable  me  to  be 
passed  to  the  honorable  degree  of  Fellow  of  the  Craft  of 
Freemason.  I  further  promise  and  swear  that  if  once 
admitted  to  the  fellowship  I  will  forever  conform  to  the 
ancient  charges,  usages,  and  established  customs  of  the 
Fraternity,  as  Fellows  have  done  in  all  ages." 

The  applicant  has  to  go  and  kneel  on  the  same  Ashlar 
he  was  bound  seven  years  before.  The  bond  is  torn  up,  the 
blue  cord  is  removed  from  his  neck. 

"Rise,  free  brother;  you  are  now  superior  to  an  ap- 
prentice, but  inferior  to  a  Fellow  of  the  Craft  of  Free- 
masons. ' ' 

He  is  then  given  the  pass  grip  and  pass  word  leading 
from  the  first  to  the  second  degree.  Both  are  the  same  as 
the  Speculatives.  *  *  *  There  again  the  grip  must  be 
"covered."  He  then  takes  a  formal  farewell  of  the  appren- 
tices, and  for  the  future  he  must  associate  with  the  Fellows. 

Before  the  candidate  can  be  accepted  as  suitable  to 
be  passed  to  the  second  degree  he  has  to  prepare  a  rough 
dressed  Ashlar  stone  as  a  specimen  of  his  work.  A  rough 
dressed  Ashlar  stone  is  the  Ashlar  as  it  is  prepared  in  the 
first  degree  or  apprentice  yard  for  the  more  expert  work- 
man. It  is  dressed  one-sixteenth  of  an  inch  too  large  all 
over;  and  this  stone  has  to  be  prepared  by  the  candidate 
and  passed  by  the  Inspector  of  Material  before  the  free 
brother  can  be  passed  as  a  Fellow  of  the  Craft. 

When  the  candidate  goes  into  the  second  degree  Lodge 
to  be  made  a  Fellow  of  the  Craft,  he  must  have  this  speci- 


16  FREEMASONRY- WHEN,  WHERE,  HOW? 


men  of  his  work  with  him.  He  must  swear  it  is  all  his  own 
work.  "No  man  hath  used  a  tool  upon  it."  (Here  is  a 
hint  at  the  Mark  degree.) 

At  the  appointed  time,  again  at  12  noon  on  a  Friday, 
he  goes  to  the  door  of  the  second  degree  yard  and  knocks. 
On  giving  the  pass  grip  and  pass  word  he  is  admitted. 
The  Master  gives  notice,  "The  Fellows  in  the  E.,  S.,  W. 

and  N.  will  take  notice  that  Brother    is 

about  to  pass  in  view  before  them  to  show  that  he  is  a 
candidate  properly  prepared  to  be  made  a  Fellow  of  the 
Craft  of  Freemasons."  He  is  then  led  around  the  candi- 
date's track  twice.  This  time  his  right  foot  is  put  trans- 
versely across  the  axis  of  the  Lodge  and  then  his  left  foot 
parallel  to  the  axis  of  the  Lodge.  This  is  "header  and 
stretcher"  work,  or  "one  and  one,"  the  Operatives  call  it. 
He  is  then  led  to  the  altar,  where,  kneeling  on  a  rough 
dressed  Ashlar  stone,  on  both  knees  bare,  he  takes  the  obli- 
gation, as  follows: 

* 1 1,  ,  do,  in  the  presence  of  El  Shaddai 

and  of  this  worshipful  assembly  of  Fellows  of  the  Craft 
of  Free  Masons,  Rough  Masons,  Wallers,  Paviors,  Plaister- 
ers,  and  Bricklayers  here  present,  promise  and  declare  that 
I  will  not  at  any  time  hereafter,  by  any  act  or  circumstance 
whatsoever,  directly  or  indirectly,  publish,  discover,  reveal 
or  make  known  any  of  the  secrets,  privities  or  councils  of 
the  Fellows  of  the  Craft  of  Freemasons  which  at  this  time, 
or  any  time  hereafter,  shall  be  made  known  unto  me.  That 
I  will  not  permit  or  suffer  any  laborer  to  be  employed  in 
the  proper  work  of  Freemasonry ;  that  I  will  not  work  with 
those  that  are  not  free,  and  that  I  will  not  teach  laborers 
and  unaccepted  Masons,  as  I  would  teach  apprentices  or 
Fellows  of  the  Craft  of  Freemasons. 

"I  further  promise  and  declare  that  I  will  strictly 
preserve  the  honor  of  all  Freemasons  of  whatever  degree; 
that  I  will  not  commit  adultery  or  fornication  with  the 
wife,  daughter  or  maid  of  any  Freemason. 


OPEEATIVE  FREEMASONRY 


17 


' ■  The  penalty  for  breaking  this  great  oath  shall  be  the 
loss  of  my  life.  That  I  shall  be  branded  with  the  mark  of 
the  traitor  and  slain  according  to  the  ancient  custom. 

6  i  Given  under  my  hand  and  sealed  with  my  lips  twice. 
So  help  me  El  Shaddai  and  the  holy  contents  of  this  book. ' ' 

After  the  obligation  it  is  said  to  him,  "Rise,  accepted 
Fellow  of  the  Craft  of  Freemasons."  Then  the  signs  of 
a  Fellow  are  given.  They  are  the  same  as  the  Speculative, 
the  word  is  "Bonai."  This  word  proves  he  is  a  Fellow 
of  the  Craft,  and  means  builder.  The  traditional  history 
is  now  recited  to  him  by  the  first  Master  Mason. 

THE  TRADITIONAL  HISTORY. 

"Good  Fellow  of  the  Craft  of  Freemasons,  you  have 
been  passed  as  a  Fellow  of  this  ancient  and  worshipful 
Fraternity.  It  is  our  purpose  to  tell  you  how  and  in  what 
manner  this  worthy  Craft  of  Masonry  was  begun,  and 
afterward  how  it  was  kept  by  worthy  Kings  and  Princes 
and  by  many  other  worshipful  men. 

"Before  Noah's  flood  there  was  a  man  that  was  called 
Lamech,  and  this  Lamech  had  two  wives,  the  one  called 
Adah,  and  the  other  Zillah.  By  his  first  wife,  Adah,  he 
gat  two  sons,  the  one  called  Jabal  and  the  other  Jubal. 
And  by  the  other  wife,  Zillah,  he  gat  a  son,  Tubal  Cain, 
and  a  daughter,  Nazmah,  and  these  four  children  founded 
the  beginning  of  all  the  crafts  in  the  world.  The  eldest 
son,  Jabal,  founded  the  craft  of  geometry;  he  had  sheep 
and  lambs  in  the  field,  and  was  the  first  Mlason  who  wrought 
houses  and  walls  of  stone.  And  his  brother,  Jubal,  founded 
the  craft  of  music,  song  of  mouth,  harp,  organ  and  trumpet. 
And  the  third  son,  Tubal  Cain,  found  out  the  smith's  craft 
of  working  in  gold,  silver,  copper,  iron  and  steel  and  all 
manner  of  forging.  And  the  daughter,  Nazmah,  founded 
the  craft  of  weaving.  These  four  children  knew  well  that 
God  would  do  vengeance  for  sin,  either  by  fire  or  water, 
wherefore  they  wrote  the  sciences  that  they  had  founded 
on  two  pillars  of  stone  that  they  might  be  found  after 


18 


FREEMASONRY— WHEN,  WHERE,  HOW? 


either  fire  or  flood.  The  one  pillar  was  made  of  marble,  for 
that  it  cannot  burn  with  fire,  and  the  other  pillar  was 
made  of  stone  called  laternes,  for  that  it  cannot  drown  in 
any  water.  Our  intent  is  to  tell  you  truly  in  what  manner 
these  stones  were  found,  on  which  were  written  these 
sciences. 

" After  the  destruction  of  the  world  by  Noah's  flood, 
the  great  Hermarives,  that  was  Cubies'  son,  afterward 
called  Hermes,  the  father  of  wisdom,  found  one  of  the 
seven  sciences  written  thereon,  and  he  taught  it  to  other 
men.  The  first  of  the  seven  sciences  is  Grammar,  and  that 
teacheth  a  man  to  speak  truly  and  write  truly.  The  second 
is  Bhetoric,  and  that  teacheth  a  man  to  speak  fair  and  in 
subtle  terms.  The  third  is  Logic,  and  teacheth  a  man  to 
discern  or  know  the  truth  from  falsehood.  The  fourth  is 
Arithmetic,  and  teacheth  a  man  to  reckon  and  to  count 
all  manner  of  numbers.  The  fifth  is  Geometry,  and  that 
teacheth  a  man  to  mete  and  measure  the  earth,  and  all 
other  things,  on  which  science  is  founded,  Masonry  and 
architecture.  The  sixth  is  called  Music,  and  that  teacheth 
a  man  the  craft  of  song,  and  voice  of  tongue,  organ,  harp 
and  trumpet.  And  the  seventh  science  is  called  Astrono- 
my, and  that  teacheth  a  man  to  know  the  course  of  the 
sun,  of  the  moon,  and  of  the  stars  of  heaven. 

' '  These  be  the  seven  liberal  sciences  of  the  which  all 
be  founded  by  one ;  that  is  geometry,  for  geometry  teacheth 
a  man  measure,  ponderation  and  weight  of  all  things  on 
earth ;  for  there  is  no  man  that  worketh  in  any  craft,  but 
he  worketh  by  some  measure;  and  every  man  that  buyeth 
or  selleth,  buy  or  sell  by  some  measure  or  weight,  and  all 
this  is  geometry.  And  the  merchants,  craftsmen  and  all 
other  sciences,  and  especially  the  plowmen,  and  tillers  of 
all  manner  of  grain  and  seeds,  vines  and  plants,  and  the 
setters  of  all  manner  of  fruit,  cannot  find  mete  and  measure 
without  geometry;  wherefore  the  said  science  of  geometry 
is  the  most  worthy,  as  all  the  others  are  founded  upon  it. 


OPERATIVE  FREEMASONRY 


19 


"At  the  making  of  the  Tower  of  Babylon  was  Masons 
first  made  much  of,  and  that  great  King  of  Babylon  called 
Nimrod  was  himself  a  Master  Mason.  He  loved  well  the 
Craft  and  made  the  Masons  free  men  and  Freemasons  in 
his  kingdom.  And  when  the  city  of  Nineveh  and  other 
cities  of  the  East  were  built,  Nimrod,  the  King  of  Babylon, 
sent  thither  sixty  Lodges  of  his  Freemasons  to  Ashur,  the 
King  of  Nineveh,  his  cousin,  and  when  he  sent  them  forth 
he  gave  them  a  charter  and  a  charge  after  his  manner. " 

(The  second  Master  gives  "The  Charge.") 

CHARGES  OF  NIMROD— SECOND  DEGREE. 

"That  the  Freemasons  shall  be  true  to  El  Shaddai, 
their  King,  their  Lord  and  their  Masters. 

"That  they  shall  truly  serve  their  Masters  for  their 
pay,  so  that  their  Masters  have  worship,  and  all  that  be- 
longeth  to  them. 

"That  they  shall  ordain  the  most  wise  and  cunning 
men  to  be  Masters  of  the  work,  and  neither  for  love,  riches 
nor  favor  set  another  that  hath  little  cunning  to  be  master 
of  any  work  whereby  the  Lords  should  be  ill  served  and 
the  science  shamed. 

' 6  That  they  shall  be  true  one  to  another,  and  that  they 
shall  live  truly  together. 

"That  they  shall  assemble  together  once  every  year, 
to  see  how  they  might  best  serve  the  King  and  the  Masters 
for  their  profit  and  their  own  worship. 

' '  That  they  shall  correct  within  themselves,  those  that 
have  trespassed  against  the  Craft,  so  the  worthy  science  be 
not  dishonored. 

"To  all  these  charges  he  made  them  swear  a  great  oath 
that  men  used  at  that  time,  and  he  ordained  for  them 
reasonable  pay  whereby  they  might  live  honestly. 

"Long  after,  when  the  children  of  Israel  were  come 
into  the  land  of  Beerhest,  that  is  now  called  mongst  us 
the  cotintry  of  Jerusalem,  King  David  began  to  prepare 
the  ground  and  the  stone  for  the  Temple  of  Jerusalem. 


20 


FBEEMASONBY— WHEN,  WHERE,  HOW? 


And  the  same  King  David  loved  well  the  Freemasons,  and 
cherished  them  much  and  gave  them  good  pay— and  the 
charges  right  nigh  as  they  be  now. 

4 'And  after  the  decease  of  King  David,  Solomon,  that 
was  King  David's  son,  performed  out  the  temple  that  his 
father  had  begun,  and  he  sent  for  Freemasons  into  diverse 
countries  and  lands  and  gathered  them  together  so  that  he 
had  four  score  thousand  workmen  that  were  workers  of 
stone,  and  were  all  Freemasons,  and  he  chose  of  them  three 
thousand,  three  hundred  that  were  ordained  to  be  Masters 
and  Governors  of  his  works. 

"And  this  same  Solomon  confirmed  both  the  charges 
and  manners  that  his  father  had  given  to  the  Masons,  and 
thus  was  that  worthy  Craft  confirmed  in  the  country  of 
Jerusalem  and  in  many  other  kingdoms.' ' 

ANCIENT  CHARGE 

TO  THE  FELLOW  OF  THE  CRAFT  OF  FREEMASONS. 

"1.  I  am  to  admonish  you  to  honor  El  Shaddai  in 
his  holy  church ;  that  you  use  no  heresy,  schism,  and  error 
in  your  undertakings,  or  discredit  man's  teachings. 

6  '2.  To  be  true  to  our  Sovereign  Lord,  the  King,  his 
heirs  and  lawful  successors;  committing  no  treason,  mis- 
prision or  felony ;  and  if  any  man  shall  commit  treason  that 
you  know  of,  you  shall  forthwith  give  notice  thereof  to 
his  Majesty,  his  privy  councilors,  or  some  other  person  that 
hath  commission  to  inquire  thereof. 

"3.  You  shall  be  true  to  your  Fellows  and  brethren 
of  the  science  of  Masonry,  and  do  unto  them  as  you  would 
be  done  unto. 

' '  4.  You  shall  keep  secret  the  obscure  and  intricate 
parts  of  the  science,  not  disclosing  them  to  any  but  such 
as  study  and  use  the  same. 

"5.  You  shall  do  your  work  truly  and  faithfully, 
endeavoring  the  profit  and  advantage  of  him  that  is  owner 
of  the  said  work. 


OPERATIVE  FREEMASONRY 


21 


"6.  You  shall  call  Masons  your  Fellows  and  Brethren 
without  addition  of  knaves  and  other  bad  language. 

"7.  You  shall  not  take  your  neighbor's  wife  villain- 
ously, nor  his  daughter,  nor  his  maid  or  his  servant,  to  use 
ungodly. 

' '  8.  You  shall  not  carnally  lie  with  any  woman  that 
is  belonging  to  the  house  where  you  are  at  table. 

"9.  You  shall  truly  pay  for  your  meat  and  drink 
where  you  are  at  table. 

"10.  You  shall  not  undertake  any  man's  work,  know- 
ing yourself  unable  or  unexpert  to  perform  and  effect  the 
science,  or  the  Lord  or  owner  of  the  said  work  be  any  way 
prejudiced. 

"11.  You  shall  not  take  any  work  to  do  at  excessive 
or  unreasonable  rates,  to  deceive  the  owner  thereof,  but 
so  as  he  may  be  truly  and  faithfully  served  with  his  own 
goods. 

"12.  You  shall  so  take  your  work  that  thereby  you 
may  live  honestly  and  pay  your  Fellow  the  wages  as  the 
science  doth  require. 

"13.  You  shall  not  supplant  any  of  your  Fellows  of 
their  work,  if  he  or  any  of  them  hath  or  have  taken  any 
work  upon  him  or  them,  or  he  or  they  stand  Master  or 
Masters  of  any  Lord  of  owner's  work,  that  you  shall  not 
put  him  or  them  out  from  the  said  work,  although  you  per- 
ceive him  or  them  inable  to  finish  the  same. 

"14.  You  shall  not  take  any  apprentice  to  serve  you 
in  the  said  science  of  Masonry,  under  the  term  of  seven 
years,  nor  any  but  such  as  are  descended  of  good  and 
honest  parentage;  that  no  scandal  may  be  imputed  to  the 
said  science  of  Masonry. 

"15.  You  shall  not  take  upon  you  to  make  any  Mason, 
without  the  privity  or  consent  of  six,  or  five  at  least  of 
your  Fellows,  and  not  but  such  as  is  free  born,  and  whose 
parents  live  in  good  fame  and  name,  and  that  hath  his 
right  and  perfect  limbs,  and  able  body  to  attend  the  said 
science. 


22  FREEMASONRY— WHEN,  WHERE,  HOW? 


"16.  You  shall  not  pay  any  of  your  Fellows  more 
money  than  he  or  they  have  deserved,  that  you  be  not  de- 
ceived by  slight  or  false  working  and  the  owner  thereof 
much  wronged. 

"17.  You  shall  not  slander  any  of  your  Fellows  be- 
hind their  backs  to  impair  their  temporal  estate  or  good 
name. 

"18.  You  shall  not,  without  any  urgent  cause,  answer 
your  Fellow  doggedly  or  ungodly,  but  as  becomes  a  loving 
brother  in  the  said  science. 

"19.  You  shall  duly  reverence  your  Fellows,  that  the 
bond  of  charity  and  mutual  love  may  continue  steadfast 
and  stable  among  you. 

"20.  You  shall  not  (except  in  Christmas  time)  use 
any  lawless  games  as  dice,  cards  or  such  like. 

"21.  You  shall  not  frequent  any  houses  of  bawdery 
or  be  a  pander  to  any  of  your  Fellows  or  others,  which  will 
be  a  great  scandal  to  the  science. 

"22.  You  shall  not  go  out  to  drink  by  night,  or  if 
occasion  happen  that  you  must  go,  you  shall  not  stay  past 
eight  of  the  clock,  having  some  of  your  Fellows,  or  one  at 
the  least,  to  bear  you  witness  of  the  honest  places  you  were 
in,  and  your  good  behavior  to  avoid  scandal. 

"23.  You  shall  come  to  the  yearly  assembly,  if  you 
know  where  it  is  kept,  being  within  ten  miles  of  the  place 
of  your  abode,  submitting  yourself  to  the  censure  of  your 
Fellows,  wherein  you  have  to  make  satisfaction  or  else  to 
defend  by  order  of  the  King's  laws. 

"24.  You  shall  not  make  any  mould,  square  or  rule 
to  mould  stones  withal,  but  such  as  are  allowed  by  the  Fra- 
ternity. 

"25.  You  shall  set  strangers  at  work,  having  employ- 
ment for  them,  at  least  a  fortnight,  and  pay  them  their 
wages  truly ;  and  if  you  want  work  for  them,  then  you  shall 
relieve  them  with  money  to  defray  their  reasonable  charges 
to  the  next  Lodge. 


OPERATIVE  FREEMASONRY 


23 


"26.  You  shall  truly  attend  your  work,  and  truly  end 
the  same,  whether  it  be  task  or  journey  work,  if  you  have 
the  payment  and  wages  according  to  your  agreement  made 
with  the  Master  or  owner  thereof. 

"All  these  articles  and  charges,  which  I  have  now 
recited  unto  you,  you  shall  well  and  truly  observe,  perform 
and  keep  to  the  best  of  your  power  and  knowledge.  So 
help  you  El  Shaddai  and  the  true  and  holy  contents  of  this 
book." 

Then  the  third  Master,  addressing  the  candidate,  says, 
"The  traditional  history  and  the  charges  which  have  just 
been  so  ably  delivered  to  you  are  the  foundation  stone, 
the  commencement  of  the  Worshipful  Society  of  Freema- 
sons, in  all  parts  of  the  world,  and  in  all  ages."  The  new 
"Fellow  of  the  Craft  of  Freemasons"  is  now  invested 
with  the  Fellow's  apron  and  is  presented  with  his  actual 
working  tools,  which  are  the  plumb,  the  level  and  the 
square,  another  straight  edge,  and  the  perfect  Ashlar  square, 
which  is  a  wooden  frame  with  the  ends  overlapping  like 
an  Oxford  frame,  being  the  exact  size  of  a  royal  cubit,  or 
21f  inches  inside.  He  is  now  a  free  man  and  a  Freemason, 
and  in  olden  days  became  a  free  man  of  the  city  or  town 
in  which  he  had  been  apprenticed. 

When  he  begins  to  work  in  the  Fellow's  or  second 
degree  yard,  he  is  told  to  commence  in  the  N.  B.  corner 
with  the  new  Fellows  and  there  he  is  taught  to  make  his 
rough  dressed  Ashlar  stone  true  and  polished.  Then  his 
perfect  work  has  to  be  submitted  for  inspection  and  to  be 
tried.  If  the  work  is  satisfactory,  he  is  given  the  word 
"Giblim,"  which  means  perfect  stone  squarer  or  expert 
Mason. 

With  this  additional  or  superior  word,  Giblim,  he  also 
has  an  additional  sign  given  to  him  of  which  there  is  no 
trace  in  the  Speculative  Ritual. 

The  sign  is  given  by  placing  his  left  arm  and  hand, 
with  thumb  extended,  in  a  perpendicular  position,  point- 


24 


FREEMASONRY- WHEN,  WHERE,  HOW? 


ing  upward,  and  his  right  arm  and  hand,  with  thumb  ex- 
tended, in  a  horizontal  position.  Thus  he  represents  all 
three  of  his  new  tools,  the  ' ' square' '  by  the  angle  of  90 
degrees  formed  by  his  two  arms,  the  upright  or  "plumb- 
rule"  by  his  left  arm,  and  the  ' ' level"  by  his  right  arm. 

Having  made  his  test  piece  which  has  been  passed  by 
the  Inspector  of  Material,  and  having  served  for  a  year 
as  a  Fellow,  he  is  now  eligible  to  apply  to  be  advanced  to 
the  third  degree,  that  of  a  Super  Fellow.  The  following 
form  has  to  be  filled  up  and  posted  at  the  yard  or  quarry 
entrance : 

"Application  to  the  Superintendent  of  the  Works  of  the 
Worshipful  Society  of  Freemasons,  Rough  Masons, 
Wallers,  Slaters,  Paviors,  Plaisterers  and  Bricklayers. 

"I,   ,  having  well  and  truly  served  as 

a  Fellow  of  the  Craft  of  Freemasons  for  one  year,  and 
being  of  the  age  of  twenty-two  years,  humbly  crave  to  be 
advanced  to  the  honorable  degree  of  Super  Fellow  of  the 
Craft  of  Freemasons. 

"I  further  promise  and  swear  that  if  once  advanced 
to  the  third  degree  of  the  fellowship,  I  will  forever  con- 
form to  all  the  ancient  charges,  usages,  and  established 
customs  of  the  Fraternity,  as  Super  Fellows  have  done  in 
all  ages." 

THE  SUPER  FELLOW'S  THIRD  AND  FOURTH 
DEGREES. 

The  word  6 '  Giblim ' '  and  the  sign  described  in  the  last 
chapter,  left  arm  perpendicular  and  right  arm  horizontal, 
are  the  pass  word  and  pass  sign  leading  from  the  second 
to  the  third  degree;  and  the  perfect  Ashlar  stone  the  can- 
didate has  himself  made  is  the  proof  for  advancement  to 
the  Super  Fellows  or  third  degree. 

The  Operative  third  degree  and  the  first  part  of  the 
modern  Mark  degree  corresponding  to  the  old  Mark  Mason 
of  the  Speculatives  are  so  very  similar  that  a  Speculative 


OPEEATIVE  FREEMASONRY 


25 


Mark  Mason  would  find  himself  quite  at  home  in  the  Op- 
erative work.  The  word  and  sign  of  the  Operative  and 
Super  Fellow  or  third  degree  is  the  same  as  the  Speculative 
Mark  degree. 

It  is  obvious  that  this  precludes  a  Speculative  Mark 
Mason  from  describing  the  ceremony  fully  in  print.  The 
Super  Fellow  is  allotted  his  Mark,  and  as  a  Super  Fellow 
he  is  charged  to  produce  "fare  work  and  square/ ' 

In  this  degree  the  candidate  is  led  around  the  Lodge 
three  times  and  he  takes  his  obligation  on  the  polished 
Ashlar  stone  with  both  knees  bare. 

"Application  to  the  Superintendent  of  the  Works  of  the 
Worshipful  Society  of  Freemasons,  Rough  Masons, 
Wallers,  Slaters,  Paviors,  Plaisterers  and  Bricklayers. 

"I,   ,  having  well  and  truly  served  as 

a  Super  Fellow  of  the  Craft  of  Freemasons  for  one  year, 
and  being  of  the  age  of  twenty-three,  humbly  crave  to  be 
further  advanced  to  the  honorable  degree  of  Super  Fellow 
Erector  of  the  Craft  of  Freemasons. 

"I  further  promise  and  swear  that  if  once  advanced 
to  the  fourth  degree  of  fellowship,  I  will  forever  conform 
to  all  the  ancient  charges,  usages,  and  established  customs 
of  the  Fraternity,  as  Super  Fellow  Erectors  have  done 
in  all  ages." 

The  next  degree  for  the  Operative  Free  Mason  is  that 
of  an  Erector,  still  Super  Fellow,  but  one  who  is  quali- 
fied and  entitled  to  erect  and  put  in  position  on  the  site 
the  stones  prepared  in  the  first,  second  and  third  yards 
and  marked  in  the  third  stone  yard.  This  is  the  Opera- 
tive Js  fourth  degree.  The  Super  Fellow  Erector  ascertains 
from  the  marks  the  exact  position  in  which  each  stone  is 
intended  to  be  placed. 

This  is  very  similar  to  the  second  part  of  the  modern 
Speculative  Mark  Mason's  degree,  corresponding  to  the 
old  Speculative  Mark  Master's  degree;  which  again  pre- 


26  FREEMASONRY— WHEN,  WHERE,  HOW? 


eludes  a  Mark  Mason  from  describing  the  ceremony  fully 
in  print. 

In  the  square  division  it  is  the  chief  N.  E.  corner 
headstone  that  is  missing,  and  in  the  arch  division  it  is 
the  keystone  of  the  arch  that  has  been  lost.  The  moral 
is  the  same  in  both  cases.  6 '  The  stone  which  the  builders 
refused  is  become  the  headstone  of  the  corner."  The  Arch 
Masons  reject  the  corner  stone,  and  the  Square  Masons 
reject  the  keystone. 

In  the  Operative  account  it  is  the  negligent  mark  man 
who  neglected  to  mark  well  who  are  ' 6  hove  over"  with  a 
thirty-cubit  drop,  and  form  the  completion  sacrifice ;  which 
is  certainly  in  accordance  with  the  spirit  of  the  times  of 
the  building  of  King  Solomon's  temple. 

In  this  fourth  degree  the  candidate  takes  his  obliga- 
tion on  a  perfect  polished  Ashlar  stone,  both  knees  bare  as 
before,  and  he  is  led  around  the  Lodge  four  times.  The 
work  and  sign  are  the  same  as  in  the  Speculative  Mark 
degree. 

All  Operative  Freemasons  have  these  two  Mark  de- 
grees, although  the  Mark  was  struck  out  by  those  who  for- 
mulated Modern  Speculative  Freemasonry/  in  1717. 

The  majority  of  Operative  Freemasons  do  not  proceed 
beyond  this,  the  fourth  degree;  as  to  take  the  fifth  degree, 
that  of  Superintendent,  requires  considerable  technical 
knowledge. 

6  6  Application  to  the  Superintendent  of  the  Works  of  the 
Worshipful  Society  of  Freemasons,  Rough  Masons, 
Wallers,  Slaters,  Paviors,  Plaisterers  and  Bricklayers. 

1 'I,   ,  having  well  and  truly  served  as 

a  Super  Fellow  Erector  of  the  Craft  of  Freemasons  for 
one  year,  and  being  of  the  age  of  twenty-four  years,  hum- 
bly crave  to  be  raised  to  the  honorable  degree  of  Intendant 
of  the  Craft  of  Freemasons. 

"I  further  promise  and  swear  that  if  once  raised  to 
the  fifth  degree  of  fellowship,  I  will  forever  conform  to 


OPEEATIVB  FKEEMASONRY  27 


all  the  ancient  charges,  usages,  and  established  customs 
of  the  Fraternity,  as  Intendants  have  done  in  all  ages." 

THE  OVERSEER — [FIFTH  AND  SIXTH  DEGREES. 

There  is  no  degree  in  Speculative  Freemasonry  ex- 
actly corresponding  to  the  fifth  degree  of  Superintendent 
in  Operative  Freemasonry,  although  Overseers  are  used 
in  the  Speculative  Mark  Master. 

The  ceremony  is,  however,  somewhat  similar  to  the 
appointment  and  investiture  of  officers  at  a  Speculative 
installation  meeting.  Every  officer  is  examined  as  to  his 
knowledge — actual  technical  knowledge — and  has  to  take 
the  officer's  oath  and  be  installed  in  his  chair. 

"Application  to  the  Masters  of  the  "Worshipful  Society  of 
Freemasons,  Rough  Masons,  Wallers,  Slaters,  Paviors, 
Plaisterers  and  Bricklayers. 

"I,   ,  having  well  and  truly  served  as 

Intendant  and  Superintendent  of  the  Craft  of  Freemasons 
for  one  year,  and  being  of  the  age  of  twenty-five  years, 
humbly  crave  to  be  exalted  to  the  honorable  degree  of 
Passed  Master  of  the  Craft  of  Freemasons. 

"I  further  promise  and  swear  that  if  once  exalted  to 
the  sixth  degree  of  the  fellowship,  I  will  forever  conform 
to  all  the  ancient  charges,  usages,  and  established  customs 
of  the  Fraternity,  as  Harodim  have  done  in  all  ages." 

The  next  Operative  degree,  that  of  a  Passed  Master, 
sixth  degree,  requires  still  more  knowledge  than  the  fifth 
degree.  A  man  who  takes  it — and  the  number  in  a  Lodge 
is  limited  to  fifteen— must  be  able  to  conduct  building  op- 
erations and  generally  understand  his  profession  thor- 
oughly, consequently  requiring  much  more  technical  knowl- 
edge than  does  a  craftsman.  He  has  to  be  able  to  lay 
schemes,  draw  plans  and  take  complete  charge  of  a  depart- 
ment. The  Senior  Passed  Master  is  really  the  Deputy 
Master.   His  Masonic  title  is  Adoniram.   He  is  practically 


28  FREEMASONRY— WHEN,  WHERE,  HOW? 


general  manager  and  works  manager  and  is  responsible 
to  the  three  Masters.  The  word  of  this  degree  is  ' '  Harod, ' ' 
plural  "Harodim."  The  fifth  degree  Mason  is  led  around 
the  Lodge  five  times  and  the  sixth  degree  Mason  six  times. 

THE  THREE  MASTERS— SEVENTH  DEGREE. 

The  last  and  final,  or  seventh,  degree  is  that  of  a 
Grand  Master,  of  which  there  are  three.  These  correspond 
in  some  measure  to  the  Speculative  Grand  Master,  Pro 
Grand  Master  and  Deputy  Grand  Master  in  England,  and 
to  the  Grand  Master  and  Grand  Wardens  in  this  country. 
They  represent  Solomon,  King  of  Israel;  Hiram,  King  of 
Tyre,  and  Hiram  Abif .  On  being  admitted  to  this  degree 
each  Master  is  led  around  the  Lodge  seven  times. 

The  first  and  second  Grand  Masters  hold  office  for  lif e^ 
or  until  superannuated.  The  third  Grand  Master  is  ritually 
slain  on  the  2d  of  October,  and  a  fresh  one  is  appointed 
every  year. 

"Application  to  the  Masters  of  the  Worshipful  Society  of 
Freemasons,  Rough  Masons,  Wallers,  Slaters,  Paviors, 
Plaisterers  and  Bricklayers. 

' c  I,   ,  having  well  and  truly  served  as 

Passed  Master  and  Deputy  Master  Mason  for  five  years, 
and  being  at  the  age  of  thirty-five  years,  humbly  crave  to 
be  enthroned  in  the  honorable  and  exalted  degree  of  Master 
Mason  of  the  Craft  of  Freemasons. 

"I  further  promise  and  swear  that  if  once  enthroned 
in  the  seventh  degree  of  the  fellowship,  I  will  forever  con- 
form to  all  the  ancient  charges,  usages,  and  established 
customs  of  the  Fraternity,  as  Enthroned  Master  Masons 
have  done  in  all  ages." 

In  filling  the  "Certificates  of  Character  and  Skill" 
for  the  foregoing,  the  only  acceptable  character  is  that 
found  in  II  Chronicles,  chapter  2,  verses  13  and  14: 

"A  cunning  man,  endued  with  understanding." 

"Skillful  to  work  in  gold,  and  in  silver,  in  brass,  in 


OPERATIVE  FKEEMASONRY 


29 


iron,  in  stone,  and  in  timber,  in  purple,  in  blue,  and  in 
fine  linen,  and  in  crimson-  also  to  grave  any  manner  of 
graving,  and  to  find  out  every  device  which  shall  be  put 
to  him." 

Attention  is  called  to  the  plan  of  the  sixth  and  seventh 
degree  lodges.  The  Masters'  chairs  are  in  the  west,  on 
a  raised  dais  with  seven  steps,  each  step  representing  one 
of  the  Masonic  sciences — Grammar,  Rhetoric,  Logic,  Arith- 
metic, Geometry,  Music  and  Astronomy.  Adoniram,  the 
Deputy  Master,  is  just  within  the  sixth  degree  Lodge  room, 
and  there  are  three  pillars,  hexagonal  in  shape,  in  the 
Lodge  room,  one  in  front  of  King  Solomon  in  the  west, 
another  in  the  northeast,  and  the  third  in  the  southeast. 
The  one  in-  the  west  represents  Mfount  Moriah,  the  one  in 
the  northeast  represents  Mbunt  Tabor,  and  the  one  in  the 
southeast  represents  Mount  Sinai. 

On  ordinary  occasions  the  seventh  degree  or  Grand 
Master's  Lodge  is  opened  by  the  three  in  private,  and  the 
sixth  degree  or  Passed  Master's  Lodge  is  opened  by  them 
in  the  same  manner;  then  the  door  or  screen  or  curtain 
between  these  two  Lodge  rooms  is  opened  and  work  goes 
on.  But  when  the  annual  assembly  or  one  of  the  three 
great  commemorations  is  to  be  celebrated,  then  the  San- 
hedrim must  be  opened  by  these  two  degrees  together  and 
conjointly. 

At  the  Sanhedrim  there  is  no  Warden  present  as  such ; 
King  Solomon  occupies  the  central  seat  of  the  Masters' 
chairs,  with  Hiram,  King  of  Tyre,  on  his  right,  and  Hiram 
Abif  on  his  left  hand.  The  first  Master  asks  the  second 
and  third  Masters  if  they  agree  that  the  Sanhedrim  be 
opened;  on  their  acquiescence  all  members  of  the  sixth 
degree  must  prove  themselves  members  by  forming  in  three 
and  make  the  word  San-he-drim  by  each  giving  a  syllable 
in  turn. 

It  is  in  this  Sanhedrim  that  at  the  foundation  com- 
memoration in  April  the  first  Master  says,  quoting  I  Kings, 
chapter  5,  verses  3,  4  and  5,  "Thou  knowest  how  that 


30  FREEMASONRY— WHEN,  WHERE,  HOW? 


David,  my  father,  could  not  build  an  house  unto  the  name 
of  the  Lord  his  God  for  the  wars  which  were  about  him 
on  every  side,  until  the  Lord  put  them  under  the  soles  of 
his  feet.  But  now  the  Lord  my  God  hath  given  me  rest 
on  every  side  so  that  there  is  neither  adversary  nor  evil 
occurrent.  And  behold,  I  purpose  to  build  an  house  unto 
the  name  of  the  Lord  my  God,  as  the  Lord  spake  unto 
David,  my  father,  saying,  Thy  son  whom  I  will  set  upon 
thy  throne  in  thy  room,  he  shall  build  an  house  unto  my 
name." 

He  then  commands  a  levy  of  men,  verse  13,  "A  levy 
out  of  all  Israel ;  and  the  levy  was  thirty  thousand  men. ' ' 
And  according  to  I  Kings  6:7,  that  "neither  hammer  nor 
axe  nor  any  tool  of  iron  shall  be  'heard  in  the  house  while 
building.'  This  necessitates  the  marking  of  the  different 
parts. " 

Next  the  sixth  degree  Masons  have  to  get  out  plans 
and  specifications  and  make  all  arrangements. 

Then  follows  the  ceremony  of  the  founding  and  con- 
struction of  the  temple. 

At  the  dedication  commemoration  the  same  process 
of  opening  the  Sanhedrim  has  to  be  gone  through.  In 
this  ceremony  the  occupant  of  the  chair  in  the  southeast 
acts  as  chaplain,  and  represents  Jachin,  and  is  regarded 
as  being  placed  on  Mount  Sinai.  The  occupant  of  the 
chair  in  the  northeast  represents  Boaz,  and  is  regarded  as 
being  placed  on  Mount  Tabor.  The  hexagonal  pillars  in 
front  of  them  as  they  face  the  west  bear  the  same  names 
as  the  occupants  of  the  chairs,  and  the  Operatives  point 
out  that  the  Scriptural  narrative  in  I  Kings  7 :21  confirms 
their  arrangement  as  King  Solomon  stands  in  the  west 
and  faces  east,  "And  he  set  up  the  pillars  in  the  porch 
of  the  temple ;  and  he  set  up  the  right  pillar  and  called  the 
name  thereof  Jachin;  and  he  set  up  the  left  pillar,  and 
called  the  name  thereof  Boaz." 

The  Grand  Deputy  Master,  whose  chair  is  at  the  feet 
of  the  three  Grand  Masters,  hands  a  blue  cord  up  to  King 


OPEEATIVE  FREEMASONKY 


31 


Solomon,  who  fixes  it  to  the  pillar  in  front  of  him  by  pass- 
ing it  around  it,  and  commands  that  it  be  carried  to  Boaz, 
who  fixes  it  to  the  pillar  in  front  of  him,  then  it  is  carried 
from  Boaz  to  Jachin,  who  fixes  it  to  the  pillar  in  front 
of  him  and  sends  it  back  to  King  Solomon.  Three  separate 
persons  take  the  three  angles,  and  these,  when  handed  to 
the  first  Master,  acting  as  King  Solomon,  must  add  up  to 
180 ;  if  they  do  not,  the  ceremony  must  be  repeated.  This 
blue  cord  is  regarded  as  the  great  line  of  communication 
between  the  three  great  mountains  or  high  places,  Moriah, 
Tabor  and  Sinai. 

The  Operatives  further  explain  that  the  first  Master 
represents  the  King,  and  that  as  Jachin  was  High  Priest 
at  the  time  of  the  dedication,  so  he  represents  the  Church, 
and  Boaz,  the  founder  of  the  Royal  Hbuse  of  David,  repre- 
sents the  State,  so  that  King  and  Church  and  State  are  all 
represented  and  are  all  united  by  the  symbolical  blue  cord. 

At  the  end  of  the  ceremony  of  dedication  the  first 
Master  goes  in  state  to  the  pillars  at  the  east  end;  as  he 
stands  facing  them  he  points  with  his  right  hand  and  says, 
"This  on  my  right  hand  I  name  Jachin,"  and  pointing 
with  his  left  hand,  "This  on  my  left  hand  I  name  Boaz." 
The  Goldsmith's  Guild,  which  is  represented,  then  fixes  a 
gold  plate  on  each  pillar  bearing  its  name,  and  the  first 
Master,  representing  King  Solomon  himself,  fixes  the  last 
gold  bolt.  These  plates  are  fixed  on  the  bases  of  the  pillars 
and  on  their  east  side,  so  that  all  entering  see  the  name 
as  they  approach.  The  first  Master  then  raises  his  hands 
and  his  eyes  to  heaven,  and  addressing  Bl  Shaddai,  says, 
"I  have  completed  the  work  that  my  Father  commanded 
me  to  perform. ' '  The  grand  sevenfold  salute  of  the  Grand 
Masters  is  then  given  to  El  Shaddai  twenty-one  times,  thus : 
Seven  times,  then  a  pause  and  seven  times  again,  and  then  a 
pause  and  seven  times  again.  Then  first  Master  blesses  the 
congregation,  who  all  stand  up  according  to  I  Kings  8 :14, 
"And  the  King  turned  his  face  about  and  blessed  all  the 


32  FREEMASONRY— WHEN,  WHERE,  HOW? 


congregation  of  Israel;  (and  all  the  congregation  of  Israel 
stood)." 

Then  the  special  sign  of  the  triangle  is  given.  This  is 
done  by  putting  the  tips  of  the  thumbs  together,  the  thumbs 
being  held  in  the  same  horizontal  line,  then  join  the  tips  of 
the  forefingers  together  and  you  get  as  nearly  as  possible 
an  equilateral  triangle ;  bring  the  hands  in  front  of  the  face 
so  that  the  two  eyes  look  through  the  triangle  thus  formed. 
The  word  J.  A.  H.  is  uttered  and  the  sign  of  dispersal,  You 
can  go,  is  given. 

' 1  The  work  is  finished. ' '  Then  the  Sanhedrim  is  closed, 
and  after  that  the  seventh  degree  and  sixth  degree  Lodges. 
This  ends  the  ceremony. 

The  fifteen  articles  in  the  old  charges  for  the  Master 
are  as  follows : 

1.  He  must  be  steadfast,  trusty,  and  true;  pay  his 
fellows  truly ;  take  no  bribe ;  and  as  a  judge  stand  upright. 

2.  Every  Master  (that  is  a  Mason)  must  be  at  the 
general  congregation,  provided  he  be  told  where  the  assem- 
bly shall  be  held;  except  to  have  reasonable  excuse;  is 
disobedient  to  the  Craft;  is  with  falsehood  overtaken;  or 
sickness  disable  him  from  attendance. 

3.  The  Master  must  take  no  apprentice,  without  good 
assurance  he  will  dwell  seven  years  with  him  in  order  to 
learn  his  Craft,  as  with  less  period  his  services  might  be 
unprofitable. 

4.  The  Master  must  be  careful  not  to  make  a  bond- 
man his  apprentice,  or  take  him  out  of  covetousness,  as 
the  Lord  he  is  bound  to  may  fetch  him  wheresoever  he 
goes,  and  if  captured  in  the  Lodge  much  inconvenience 
might  result,  since  all  Masons  that  were  there  would  stand 
together  as  companions.  For  more  ease,  then,  the  appren- 
tice should  be  taken  of  higher  degree,  and  it  was  in  older 
time  written  that  he  should  be  of  gentle  birth. 

5.  The  apprentice  must  be  of  lawful  blood,  and  the 
Master  shall  for  no  advantage  make  one  that  is  not  perfect, 
which  means  that  he  must  have  his  limbs  whole. 


OPERATIVE  FREEMASONRY 


33 


6.  The  Master  shall  do  the  Lord  no  prejudice,  to 
take  for  his  apprentice,  as  much  as  for  the  Fellows,  who 
in  their  Craft  are  quite  perfect,  which  he  is  not.  But  the 
apprentice  shall  be  informed  that  his  pay  shall  soon  in- 
crease. 

7.  No  Master,  out  of  fear  or  favor,  shall  either  clothe 
or  feed  a  thief,  neither  shall  he  harbor  thieves,  nor  him 
that  hath  killed  a  man. 

8.  The  Master  may  change  any  man  of  Craft,  who 
is  not  so  perfect  as  he  ought  to  be,  and  take  in  his  place 
a  more  perfect,  that  is  skilled  man,  as  the  former,  through 
recklessness,  might  do  the  Craft  little  honor. 

9.  The  Master  ought  to  be  wise  and  discreet,  and 
should  undertake  no  work  that  he  cannot  both  perform 
and  complete.  Also,  it  should  be  equally  to  the  profit  of 
the  Lord  and  Craft,  while  the  ground  ought  to  be  well 
taken,  so  that  it  may  neither  "Fie"  nor  crack. 

10.  No  Master  shall  supplant  another,  or  any  man 
that  hath  taken  a  work  upon  him,  under  penalty  of  not 
less  than  ten  pounds  (on  being  found  guilty)  to  him  who 
first  took  the  work  in  hand.  For  no  man  in  Masonry  shall 
supplant  another,  except  the  execution  be  such  that  it  turn 
the  work  to  naught;  for  the  man  who  begins  a  work,  if 
"he  be  Mason  good  and  sound,"  had  the  right  to  bring  it 
to  an  end. 

11.  The  Master  shall  be  both  fair  and  liberal,  and 
must  prohibit  any  Mason  from  working  at  night,  unless 
in  the  pursuit  of  knowledge,  which  shall  be  sufficient  ex- 
cuse. 

12.  No  Mason  shall  deprave  his  Fellow's  work,  but 
recommend  it  with  honest  words  and  assist  him  in  improv- 
ing it. 

13.  If  the  Master  have  an  apprentice,  he  must  instruct 
him  fully  in  the  points,  so  that  he  may  have  fully  learned 
his  Craft,  whithersoever  he  may  go. 


3  4 


14.  A  Master  shall  take  no  apprentice,  without  mak- 
ing  proper  provision  that  he  shall  learn  of  him  within  his 
term  of  servitude  " diverse  points." 

15.  The  Master  shall  take  upon  himself  no  false  main- 
tenance, nor  for  any  reward  maintain  his  Fellows  in  their 
sin.   Neither  must  he  suffer  them  to  swear  any  false  oaths. 

The  fifteen  points  for  the  Craftsman  accompanying 
the  Masters9  articles  are  as  follows  -. 

L  The  worthy  Craftsman  must  love  well  God  and 
the  holy  church,  the  Master  he  is  with  and  his  Fellows  also. 

2.  The  Mason  must  work  truly  on  the  work  day,  so 
as  to  deserve  his  pay  for  holy  day. 

3.  The  apprentice  must  keep  his  Master's  counsel, 
and  also  that  of  his  Fellows,  closely.  The  privities  of  the 
chamber  he  must  not  lay  bare,  nor  tell  to  any  man  what- 
soever he  hears  or  sees  done  in  the  Lodge.  The  counsel 
of  hall  and  likewise  of  bower  he  must  also  keep  inviolable. 

4.  Xo  man  shall  be  false  to  his  Craft,  or  maintain 
an  error  against  it,  neither  shall  he  do  any  act  to  the  preju- 
dice of  his  Master  or  Fellows.  The  same  injunctions  apply 
to  the  apprentice,  though  %* under  awe."' 

5.  The  Mason  must  take  the  pay  ordered  him  weekly, 
but  the  Master,  before  the  ninth  hour,  i.  e.,  3  p.  m..  must 
warn  those  for  whom  he  hath  no  further  employment,  and 
to  this  direction  they  must  submit  without  strife. 

6.  Love  day  shall  only  be  celebrated  on  a  holiday, 
or  when  the  work  has  come  to  an  end. 

7.  Xo  man  shall  lie  with  his  Master's  wife,  or  with 
the  wife  or  concubine  of  his  Fellows. 

S.  The  Mason  must  be  faithful  to  his  Master:  a  true 
mediator  between  his  Master  and  his  Fellows:  and  to  act 
fairly  by  both  parties. 


OPERATIVE  FREEMASONRY 


35 


9.  The  Stewards  of  the  hall  are  lovingly  to  serve  one 
another,  to  see  that  every  man  is  charged  alike ;  to  pay  for 
all  victuals  consumed,  and  to  keep  full  and  good  accounts. 

10.  If  a  Mason  lead  a  bad  life,  and  slander  his  Fel- 
lows without  cause,  he  shall  be  cited  to  appear  at  the  next 
assembly,  and  unless  he  attend  must  forswear  the  Craft, 
and  shall  be  punished  according  to  the  law  established  in 
the  old  days. 

11.  A  Mason  who  is  well  skilled  in  the  Craft,  and 
sees  his  Fellow  hewing  a  stone,  which  he  is  in  a  fair  way 
to  spoil,  should  help  him  without  loss  of  time,  if  able  to 
do  so,  and  also  instruct  him  how  to  do  better,  so  that  the 
whole  work  may  not  be  ruined. 

12.  At  the  assembly  there  shall  be,  besides  the  Masters 
and  Fellows,  many  great  Lords,  the  Sheriff  of  the  county, 
the  Mayor  of  the  city,  Knights,  Squires  and  Aldermen.  The 
ordinances  then  made  shall  be  put  into  effect  by  them 
against  any  man  belonging  to  the  Craft,  who,  if  he  dispute 
the  laws  so  enacted,  will  be  taken  into  their  keeping. 

13.  Each  Mason  shall  swear  not  to  be  a  thief,  nor  to 
succor  anyone  in  his  false  Craft. 

14.  Each  Mason  must  swear  a  good  true  oath  to  his 
Master  and  Fellows  present  at  the  assembly.  He  must  also 
be  steadfast  and  true  to  all  the  ordinances ;  to  his  liege  Lord 
and  King;  and  to  all  the  points  heretofore  cited  all  shall 
swear  the  same  oath  of  the  Masons,  be  they  willing  or  un- 
willing, to  these  points  that  have  been  ordained  by  good 
authority;  and  if  any  man  be  found  guilty  in  either  one 
of  them  he  is  to  be  sought  for  and  brought  before  the 
assembly. 

15.  Should  those  that  shall  be  sworn  to  observe  the 
ordinances  made  at  the  assembly,  before  the  great  Lords 
and  Masters,  before  named,  be  disobedient  to  the  resolu- 
tions there  passed,  and  the  same  be  proven  openly  at  the 
assembly — except  they  be  willing  to  make  amends  for  their 
faults— then  they  must  forsake  the  Craft,  refuse  to  work 
in  it,  and  swear  never  more  to  use  it.  Not  unless  they  sub- 


36  FREEMASONRY— WHEN,  WHERE,  HOW? 


sequently  make  amends  will  they  be  allowed  to  resume  their 
Craft;  and  if  they  will  not  do  so,  the  Sheriff  shall  arrest 
them  and  put  their  bodies  into  prison,  and  take  their  goods 
and  chattels,  holding  themselves  and  property  at  the  King's 
will. 


SPECULATIVE  FREEMASONRY. 


' '  Speculative ' '  means  ideal  or  theoretical,  not  estab- 
lished by  demonstration. 

Early  in  the  Eighteenth  Century  the  Operative  Masons 
began  to  admit  into  their  Lodges  gentlemen  who  were  dis- 
tinguished in  the  professions,  and  whom  the  Operatives 
desired  to  honor.  They  were  "accepted  Masons.' 7  This 
accounts  for  the  words  "free  and  accepted."  "Free' 7 
meant  Free  Operative  Mason,  and  "Accepted"  meant  not 
an  Operative,  but  one  honored  as  having  been  accepted 
among  the  Operatives  as  a  distinction.  This  custom  of 
accepting  selected  gentlemen  and  admitting  them  to  mem- 
bership in  the  Operative  Lodges  became  quite  common. 
These  accepted  Masons  were  admitted  to  the  degrees  of 
Entered  Apprentice  and  Fellow  Craft,  but  not  to  that  of 
Master. 

In  the  year  of  1710  the  Rev.  James  Anderson,  D.,  D., 
a  Scotch  Presbyterian  minister,  who  was  an  "Accepted 
Mason,"  was  made  Chaplain  of  an  Operative  Lodge  in 
London.  By  this  time  many  other  men  who  were  not 
Operatives,  were  admitted  into  the  Lodges.  Among  these 
"Accepted  Masons"  a  spirit  of  dissatisfaction  grew  up 
because  they  realized  that  they  were  not  admitted  into  all 
the  degrees,  and  they  chafed  under  this  discrimination. 
They  also  concluded  that  Operative  Masonry  was  too  nar- 
row in  its  teachings  for  men  who  were  not  actual  Opera- 
tives, and  they  conceived  the  idea  and  undertook  the  work 
of  broadening  the  teachings  and  elevating  the  morals  of 
the  Fraternity.  Their  number  grew  until  they  were  able, 
in  1717,  to  influence  the  majority  of  the  members  of  four 
Lodges  to  unite  in  the  organization  of  a  Grand  Lodge  and 
to  adopt  a  new  system  which  would  abrogate  the  Operative 
requirements.  This  movement,  under  the  lead  of  Dr.  An- 
derson, resulted  in  the  organization  of  Speculative  Free- 


38  FEEEMASONKY— WHEN,  WHERE,  HOW? 


masonry,  or  rather  the  transformation,  of  the  Operative 
into  the  Symbolic. 

Speculative  or  Symbolic  Freemasonry  was  fully 
launched  by  the  organization  of  this  Grand  Lodge.  Dr. 
Anderson  was  elected  the  first  Grand  Secretary.  To  him 
was  entrusted  the  work  of  modifying  the  ceremonies  and 
regulations.  He  took  the  Operative  Ritual  and  made  such 
changes  in  it  as  would  make  it  suitable  for  those  who  were 
Accepted  and  not  Operative  Masons.  He  gave  the  Opera- 
tive tools  and  implements  symbolic  meanings,  by  which 
beautiful  moral  lessons  are  taught.  The  fact  th,at  in  the 
Operative  Lodges  only  able-bodied  men  who  were  capable 
of  doing  Operative  work  were  admitted  accounts  for  the 
physical  perfection  requirement  in  the  Speculative  Ma- 
sonry. In  the  Operative  system,  the  idea  was  for  the 
Masters  to  observe  the  sun  at  its  rising  and  therefore  were 
in  the  west.  The  Junior  "Warden  should  face  the  sun  at 
high  meridian,  and  therefore  was  placed  in  the  north.  The 
Senior  Warden,  to  face  the  setting  sun,  was  placed  in  the 
east.  Dr.  Anderson  changed  this  to  the  system  as  now 
worked. 

In  the  Operative  Ritual  the  Lodge  was  not  opened  in 
the  first  and  then  in  the  second  and  third  degrees,  but  was 
opened  in  the  seventh  degree,  which  is  the  Master's  degree. 
The  plan  of  opening  in  the  Speculative  system,  in  the  first 
degree,  was  introduced  by  Dr.  Anderson.  As  he,  and  the 
others  who  joined  with  him  from  the  Operatives,  had  only 
received  the  first  and  second  degrees,  they  had  to  begin  at 
the  bottom  and  work  up  the  new  system,  and  as  they  had 
not  received  the  Master's  degree,  they  had  no  form  of  the 
opening  or  ceremonies  of  that  degree.  Dr.  Anderson, 
not  knowing  the  ceremony  of  the  Operative  Master's  degree, 
invented  the  legend  of  the  Speculative  third  degree,  in 
which  he  portrays  the  loss  of  the  secrets  of  a  Master  Mason, 
by  the  death  of  Hiram  Abif . 

The  legend  of  the  third  degree  was  doubtless  taken  by 
Dr.  Anderson  from  the  Ancient  Egyptian  Mysteries.  Egypt, 


SPECULATIVE  FREEMASONRY 


39 


once  the  land  of  science  and  philosophy,  and  now  the 
keeper  of  stately  tombs  and  historical  monuments,  was 
the  birthplace  of  many  of  the  mysteries  adopted  by  suc- 
ceeding people.  It  is  said  that  the  learning  of  Moses 
largely  consisted  of  those  Egyptian  mysteries.  They  were 
confined  to  the  priests  and  to  the  initiates,  and  were  so 
difficult  to  be  endured  that  none  but  those  who  were  stimu- 
lated by  the  deepest  thirst  for  knowledge  dared  undertake 
them. 

The  principal  legend  of  the  Egyptian  mysteries  was 
that  of  Osiris,  which  was  the  consummation  of  the  Egyp- 
tian system.    The  legend  was  as  follows: 

"Osiris,  the  husband  of  Isis,  was  an  ancient  King  of 
the  Egyptians.  Having  been  slain  by  Typhon,  his  body 
was  cut  into  pieces  by  his  murderer,  and  the  mangled  re- 
mains cast  upon  the  waters  of  the  Nile  to  be  dispersed  to 
the  four  winds  of  heaven.  His  wife,  Isis,  mourning  for 
the  death  and  mutilation  of  her  husband,  for  many  days 
searched  diligently  with  her  companions  for  the  portions 
of  the  body,  and  having  at  length  found  themy  united  them 
and  bestowed  upon  them  decent  interment.  Osiris, 
thus  restored,  became  the  chief  deity  of  his  subjects,  and 
his  worship  was  united  with  that  of  Isis,  as  the  fecundating 
and  fertilizing  powers  of  nature.  The  candidate  in  these 
initiations  was  made  to  pass  through  a  mimic  repetition 
of  the  conflict  and  destruction  of  Osiris,  and  his  eventual 
recovery;  and  the  explanations  made  to  him  after  he  had 
received  the  full  share  of  light  to  which  the  painful  and 
solemn  ceremonies  through  which  he  passed  had  entitled 
him,  constituted  the  secret  doctrine,  as  the  object  of  all 
the  mysteries.  Osiris— a  real  and  personal  God  to  the 
people— to  be  worshiped  with  fear  and  with  trembling, 
and  to  be  propitiated  with  sacrifices  and  burnt  offerings, 
became  to  the  initiate  but  a  symbol  of  the 

'First  great  cause,  least  understood,' 
while  his  death  and  the  wailings  of  Isis,  with  the  recovery 
of  the  body,  his  translation  to  the  rank  of  a  celestial  being, 


40  FREEMASONEY— WHEN,  WHERE,  HOW? 


and  the  consequent  rejoicing  of  his  spouse,  were  but  a 
typical  mode  of  teaching  that  after  death  comes  life  eter- 
nal, and  that  though  the  body  be  destroyed,  the  soul  shall 
still  live." 

Osiris  and  Typhon  were  the  representatives  of  the 
two  antagonistic  principles — good  and  evil,  light  and  dark- 
ness, life  and  death. 

Reader,  do  you  longer  doubt  whence  came  the  legend 
of  Hiram  Abif  ? 

These  ceremonies  have  always— whether  in  Egypt  or 
America  —  been  designed  to  lead  the  mind  toward  the 
future  and  higher  life,  to  draw  the  soul  from  the  material 
and  sensual  into  close  communion  with  the  gods  of  the 
heathen  or  the  God  of  the  Bible. 

Thus  it  was  that  Freemasonry,  as  it  is  understood  at 
the  present  day,  came  into  existence,  taking  on  the  spirit 
of  the  Operative  Brotherhood,  and  much  of  their  ceremo- 
nies. Many  of  their  tools  and  implements,  which  were 
well  suited  for  symbolic  teaching,  were  retained,  but  only 
for  the  purpose  of  imparting  and  enforcing  great  moral 
lessons. 

Traditional  Freemasonry  is  traced  to  the  time  of  King 
Solomon's  temple.  The  reference  in  the  Ritual  and  cere- 
mony to  the  temple  and  the  great  King  and  to  the  Hirams 
are  numerous  and  interesting,  but  we  are  not  justified  in 
asserting  that  there  is  any  historical  connection  between 
the  building  of  King  Solomon's  temple  and  Speculative  or 
Symbolic  Masonry. 

Freemasonry  will  not  suffer  by  a  frank  statement  of 
the  truth.  The  legends  and  symbols  are  valuable  as  such, 
and  must  ever  be  prized  for  their  value  in  teaching  eternal 
truths  and  enforcing  the  heaven-born  tenets  of  Freema- 
sonry. Every  well-informed  Craftsman  knows  how  to  in- 
terpret the  allegories  and  estimate  the  symbols  of  Specu- 
lative Freemasonry,  and  is  able  to  draw  the  line  between 
the  historic  and  the  symbolic. 


SPECULATIVE  FBEEMASONRY 


41 


The  Fatherhood  of  God  and  the  brotherhood  of  man, 
the  underlying  principles  of  Freemasonry,  are  as  old  as 
the  human  race;  the  most  important  tenets  of  the  Frater- 
nity, which  are  friendship,  morality  and  brotherly  love, 
are  co-evil  with  organized  society;  and  Operative  Masonry 
may  be  traced  back  to  the  vague  past,  but  it  will  be  to  our 
credit  if  we  do  not  make  rash  and  improbable  claims  as 
to  the  connection  of  Symbolic  Speculative  Freemasonry 
with  Noah's  ark  or  Solomon's  temple. 

WHAT  IS  MASONRY? 

Speculative  or  Symbolic  Freemasonry  has  been  appro- 
priately defined  as  "a  beautiful  system  of  morality,  veiled 
in  allegory  and  illustrated  by  symbols." 

By  Symbolic  Masonry  we  mean  the  performance  of 
the  work  of  an  Operative  Mason  emblematically.  We  take 
tools  of  an  Operative  and  use  them  as  symbols  to  impress 
lessons  of  morality  and  virtue.  For  instance,  the  Operative 
Mason  wears  his  apron  to  protect  his  clothing.  The  Specu- 
lative Mason  is  taught  to  wear  his  to  remind  him  of  a  safe- 
guard or  protection  against  the  vices  and  superfluities  of 
life.  He  should  no  more  allow  his  moral  character  to  be 
stained  than  the  Operative  his  clothing.  The  Operative 
works  according  to  design  laid  down  for  him  by  the  archi- 
tect of  the  building.  The  Speculative  Mason  takes  the 
revealed  will  of  God,  the  great  Architect  of  heaven  and 
earth,  as  his  guide,  and  should  endeavor  to  erect  his  spirit- 
ual building  in  conformity  thereto.  The  Operative  Mason 
uses  the  24-inch  gauge  or  measure  to  lay  out  his  work. 
Speculative  Masons  use  it  to  divide  their  time,  that  every 
moment  may  be  profitably  employed.  Man  is  not  placed 
upon  the  earth  to  be  indolent  or  inactive.  He  has  a  destiny 
to  fill  in  the  drama  of  life.  The  mind  of  man  is  so  consti- 
tuted that  it  must  be  employed.  Inactivity  is  not  com- 
patible with  its  nature,  and  if  not  employed  for  good  it 
will  be  for  evil.  Industry  is  the  command  of  Masonry. 
Laziness  is  rebuked  by  the  lesson  of  the  bee-hive  and  the 


42  FREEMASONRY— WHEN,  WHERE,  HOW? 


necessity  of  improving  every  opportunity  is  taught  us  by 
the  hour  glass,  which  shows  how  rapidly  we  are  passing 
away. 

Masons  are  taught  to  so  divide  their  time  as  to  have 
a  part  for  the  worship  of  God  and  the  relief  of  distress; 
a  part  for  refreshment  and  sleep,  and  a  part  for  the  busi- 
ness of  life.  To  worship  is  the  natural  disposition  of  man ; 
to  worship  God  his  highest  duty.  The  only  religious  require- 
ment for  admission  to  the  Masonic  Brotherhood  is  a  belief 
in  God  and  the  immortality  of  the  soul.  This  is  a  cardinal 
faith,  the  unity  of  the  Fraternity,  and  the  bond  of 
fidelity  among  them.  The  man  who  holds  that  there  was 
no  Creating  Spirit  that  moved  upon  the  wide  empire  of 
night  and  chaos,  and  no  voice  that  said  "Let  there  be  light," 
is  not  to  be  trusted  with  the  mysteries  of  Masonry.  The 
law  of  the  land  alone  prevents  such  a  one  from  immor- 
ality. He  has  no  monitor  within  to  hold  him  to  a  perform- 
ance of  his  vows,  or  t6  restrain  him  from  a  violation  of 
his  pledges.  But  that  man  who  believes  in  God  has  a 
rudder  and  an  anchor.  He  may  wander  in  darkness  tem- 
porarily, the  allurements  of  vice  may  lead  him  astray,  but 
his  conscience  follows  him  through  it  all,  and  in  the  darkest 
gloom  an  all-seeing  eye  is  upon  him  and  a  star  lights  him 
back  to  the  path  of  rectitude  and  duty.  It  is  well  that 
no  one  can  pass  the  center  of  an  Entered  Apprentice  Lodge 
who  does  not  willingly  and  fully  declare  his  trust  to  be  in 
God. 

The  gavel  is  an  instrument  made  use  of  by  Operative 
Masons  for  dressing  rough  stones  and  preparing  them  for 
the  builder's  use.  Symbolic  Masonry  uses  it  to  teach  the 
importance  and  necessity  of  divesting  the  mind  and  con- 
science of  the  vices  of  life  and  of  cultivating  the  higher 
and  nobler  qualities  of  our  being.  The  rough  corners  of 
vice,  intemperance  and  profanity  must  be  knocked  off  to 
"fit  us  as  living  stones  for  that  house  not  made  with  hands, 
eternal  in  the  heavens." 


SPECULATIVE  FBEEMASONBY 


43 


The  Operative  Mason  makes  an  important  use  of  the 
plumb,  square  and  level.  He  uses  the  plumb  to  keep  his 
work  perpendicular,  the  level  to  keep  it  horizontal,  and  the 
square  to  keep  it  in  form. 

Speculative  Masons  teach  impressive  lessons  by  the 
use  of  these  tools  as  emblems.  The  plumb  admonishes  us 
to  walk  uprightly.  To  walk  uprightly  before  God  and  man 
is  one  of  the  highest  duties  of  a  Mason,  and  he  who  does 
so  will  neither  be  a  biggot  nor  a  persecutor,  but  will  act 
justly  and  love  charity. 

By  the  square  we  are  taught  to  square  our  actions  and 
our  dealings  by  the  square  of  virtue  and  morality.  By  a 
faithful  adherence  to  its  moral  precepts  our  actions  and 
doings  will  be  honorable  whether  we  engage  in  high  or  low 
pursuits. 

The  level  teaches  us  the  great  lesson  of  our  natural 
equality.  Man  should  not  pride  himself  upon  his  birth  or 
his  worldly  wealth.  It  is  of  but  little  consideration  whether 
we  were  born  high  or  low,  if  we  are  true  to  God,  to  our 
fellow-men  and  to  ourselves. 

The  day  will  come  when  we  must  stand  in  the  presence 
of  our  Maker  stripped  of  everything  save  that  which  will 
entitle  us  to  pass  the  judgment  bar  of  an  omniscient  God. 

Perhaps  the  most  important  symbol  used  by  the  Craft 
is  the  trowel.  It  is  used  by  Operative  Masons  to  spread 
cement  which  unites  the  building  into  one  common  mass. 
We  use  it  emblematically  to  spread  the  cement  of  brotherly 
love,  which  unites  Masons  the  world  over  into  a  common 
brotherhood.  The  Order  is  composed  of  every  class  and 
condition  in  life,  the  high,  the  low,  the  rich,  the  poor,  from 
Washington,  the  leader  of  the  American  army,  to  the  pri- 
vate soldier;  from  Andrew  Jackson,  the  President  of  a 
great  republic,  to  the  humblest  citizen;  each  taking  into 
the  Order  his  individuality,  but  all  cemented  by  the  Ma- 
son's trowel  into  one  spirit.  Every  nationality  comes,  with 
its  peculiar  brogue,  but  all  are  taught  by  Masonry  to  speak 
the  same  language  by  signs  and  symbols.   Religionists  come 


44  FREEMASONRY— WHEN,  WHERE,  HOW? 


to  us  with  their  widely  differing  doctrines,  and  are  taught 
by  Masonry  to  worship  together  one  true  and  living  God. 

The  Masonic  trowel  cemented  the  broken  elements  of 
a  once  divided  people  in  the  United  States.  Scarcely  had 
the  last  sound  of  the  deadly  conflict  of  1861-65  been  hushed 
in  the  sweet  embrace  of  peace,  when  the  fraternal  voice 
of  Masonry  was  heard  through  the  land  calling  the  broth- 
ers from  the  South  to  join  the  brothers  of  the  North,  ap- 
pealing in  the  tender  language  of  brotherly  love  for  the 
Masons  of  the  ice  fields  of  Maine  and  those  of  the  orange 
groves  of  Florida  to  greet  each  other  as  companions  in 
the  General  Grand  Chapter.  The  first  reunion  of  any  kind 
between  the  men  of  the  two  sections  after  the  conflict  was 
in  this  body;  California,  Maine  and  Louisiana  formed  a 
triangle  of  peaceful  hands,  raised  a  living  arch  and  whis- 
pered the  old  love  in  the  souls  of  these  men  who  had  for 
four  dreadful  years  been  engaged  in  fratricide.  Be  it  said 
to  the  honor  of  Masonry,  that  the  General  Grand  Chapter 
was  never  divided,  nor  did  any  part  of  it  secede.  While 
churches,  societies  and  families  were  being  rent  in  twain, 
and  the  angry  passion  of  war  covered  the  land  as  a  cloud 
of  destruction,  Masons  of  the  South  were  hidden  from 
those  of  the  North,  but  not  lost.  War  could  stand  between, 
but  could  not  separate  them.  The  great  Masonic  heart  of 
the  two  sections  beat  in  unison,  as  was  shown  upon  the 
battle  field,  in  the  hospital  and  in  the  prison.  And  when 
the  angry  cloud  disappeared  and  the  sunshine  of  peace 
darted  its  gladdening  rays  over  the  continent,  the  first 
words  of  reconciliation  that  crossed  Mason  and  Dixon's 
line  were  the  resolutions  of  the  General  Grand  Chapter 
inviting  its  long-separated  children  to  meet  around  the 
old  family  altar.  It,  with  one  voice,  and  that  the  voice 
of  a  fond  mother,  said,  11  Resolved,  that  all  the  Grand 
Chapters  which  have  failed  to  meet  in  consequence  of  the 
recent  war  are  declared  to  be  in  good  standing  in  this  body, 
and  entitled  to  continue  their  relations  with  it.  And  they 
are  most  cordially  and  fraternally  invited  to  unite  with 


SPECULATIVE  FKEEMASONRY  45 


us,  without  reference  to  the  past  differences,  and  are  most 
sincerely  assured  that  they  shall  receive  a  fraternal,  hearty 
and  Royal  Arch  welcome." 

That  was  the  work  of  the  Masonic  trowel,  and  the 
fruit  of  the  teachings  of  the  Fatherhood  of  God  and  the 
brotherhood  of  man.  And  yet  Masonry  is  not  a  church. 
The  church  and  Masonry  have  their  blessed  spheres,  and 
between  the  two  there  is  no  conflict  and  should  be  no 
prejudice. 

Masonry  does  not  usurp  the  office  of  the  church,  and 
the  church— the  Protestant  church — is  not  jealous  of  Ma- 
sonry. Among  the  best  and  most  loyal  Masons  are  the 
thousands  of  leading  ministers  of  the  gospel  who  have 
assumed  the  vows  of  Masonry  and  indorse  its  tenets. 

EXTENSION  OF  MASONRY. 

The  four  Lodges  which  made  up  the  Premier  Grand 
Lodge  of  1717  were  the  only  Lodges  in  south  England. 
The  Lodges  in  York  did  not  participate  in  this  new  or- 
ganization. However,  in  1725  they  formed  a  Grand  Lodge 
of  their  own,  calling  it  the  Grand  Lodge  of  York.  The 
Grand  Lodges  of  York  and  England  soon  established  mu- 
tual recognition  and  continued  friendly  intercourse  until 
1735,  when  the  Grand  Master  of  England  constituted  two 
Lodges  within  the  jurisdiction  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  York. 
The  latter  highly  resented  this  unjustifiable  act  of  inter- 
ference and  all  intercourse  ceased.  In  1738  a  number  of 
brethren  seceded  from  the  Grand  Lodge  of  England,  being 
dissatisfied  with  that  body  for  introducing  innovations. 
What  these  innovations  were  we  know  not,  but  there  is  no 
doubt  that  they  were  unimportant,  probably  being  the 
manner  of  communicating  the  words  resulting  from  the 
publication  of  Samuel  Pritchard's  exposition  of  Masonry 
in  1730.  These  seceders,  taking  advantage  of  the  breach 
between  the  two  Grand  Lodges,  formed  a  rival  Grand  Lodge 
in  London  in  1739,  and  assumed  the  appellation  of  "An- 
cient York  Masons."    They  announced  that  the  ancient 


46  FREEMASONRY— WHEN,  WHERE,  HOW? 


landmarks  of  Freemasonry  were  alone  preserved  by  them 
and  branded  the  Grand  Lodge  of  England  as  ' ' modern' ' 
because  of  the  sanction  of  innovations.  They  were  shortly 
recognized  by  the  Masons  of  Scotland  and  Ireland  and 
were  encouraged  and  fostered  by  many  of  the  nobility. 
The  three  Grand  Lodges  continued  to  exist  and  act  in  oppo- 
sition to  each  other,  and  by  granting  charters  extended 
their  schisms  into  other  countries  until  1813,  when  they 
happily  became  united  under  the  old  charges  by  the  title 
of  "The  United  Grand  Lodge  of  England.' ' 

In  1729  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Ireland  was  formed,  Lord 
Viscount  Kingston  being  its  first  Grand  Master.  The 
Grand  Lodge  of  Pennsylvania  was  organized  at  Philadel- 
phia in  1731.  The  Grand  Lodge  of  Scotland  was  organ- 
ized at  Kilwinning  in  1736,  and  William  St.  Clair,  Earl 
of  Orkney  and  previously  Grand  Patron  of  Scotland  under 
King  James  III,  was  unanimously  chosen  Grand  Master. 

From  these  Grand  Lodges  sprang  all  the  Lodges  and 
Grand  Lodges  throughout  the  civilized  world. 

Until  the  year  of  1717  the  custom  of  confining  the 
privileges  of  Masonry,  by  a  dispensation  or  warrant  to 
certain  individuals,  or  to  a  particular  location,  was  un- 
known. Prior  to  that  time  a  requisite  number  of  Masons 
were  authorized  to  congregate  temporarily  at  their  own 
discretion,  and  as  best  suited  their  convenience,  and  open 
and  hold  Lodges  and  make  Masons ;  making,  however,  their 
returns  and  paying  their  dues  to  the  General  Assembly, 
which  all  Masons  were  allowed  to  attend. 

But  in  1717  the  new  Grand  Lodge  of  England  adopted 
a  regulation  providing  that  the  privileges  of  assembling 
as  Masons,  which  had  hitherto  been  unlimited,  should  be 
vested  in  certain  Lodges,  convened  in  certain  places,  and 
that  every  Lodge,  except  the  four  old  Lodges  at  that  time 
existing,  should  be  required  to  act  under  a  warrant  from 
the  Grand  Master,  with  the  consent  of  the  Grand  Lodge, 
and  that  without  such  warrant  no  Lodge  should  thereafter 


SPECULATIVE  FREEMASONRY  47 


be  deemed  regular.  This  is  the  original  law  under  which 
Lodges  are  now  constituted. 

'  FREEMASONRY  IN  AMERICA. 

There  is  no  doubt  that  there  were  Freemasons  in 
America  long  before  the  time  covered  by  actual  Lodge 
records.  It  is  impossible  to  trace  accurately  the  time  and 
by  whom  Masonry  was  first  brought  to  this  country.  It  is 
reasonable  to  presume  that  among  the  early  immigrants 
were  Masons  who,  meeting  with  kindred  spirits  in  the  new 
land,  met  together  in  Masonic  intercourse,  and  possibly 
conferred  the  degrees.  But  we  have  no  evidence  of  any 
attempt  to  organize  Lodges  among  them  prior  to  the  date 
hereafter  given. 

On  the  5th  day  of  June,  1730,  the  Duke  of  Norfolk, 
Grand  Master  in  England,  issued  a  commission  to  Daniel 
Coxe  of  New  Jersey,  as  Provincial  Grand  Master  of  New 
York,  New  Jersey  and  Pennsylvania.  This  was  the  first 
authority  ever  given  for  the  assembling  of  Freemasons  in 
America. 

On  April  30,  1733,  Henry  Price  of  Boston  received 
authority  from  the  Grand  Lodge  of  England  as  Provincial 
Grand  Master  of  the  Craft  in  New  England. 

The  first  Lodge  of  Masons  to  be  regularly  established 
in  America,  of  which  we  have  positive  proof,  was  St.  John's 
Lodge  in  the  city  of  Philadelphia  in  1730.  It  was  probably 
authorized  by  Daniel  Coxe,  as  Provincial  Grand  Master. 
Benjamin  Franklin  was  the  first  Master  of  this  Lodge.  The 
next  oldest  Lodge  is  St.  John's  Lodge,  Boston,  Mass.,  estab- 
lished under  authority  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  England, 
July  30,  1733. 

In  1758  the  rival  Grand  Lodge  of  England,  or  seceders, 
established  a  Lodge  of  Ancient  Masons  in  Philadelphia. 
This  was  shortly  followed  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Scot- 
land establishing  a  Grand  Lodge  in  Boston  and  issuing 
charters  to  subordinate  Lodges  all  over  the  States.  This 
invasion  of  the  territory  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  England 


48  FREEMASONRY— WHEN,  WHERE,  HOW? 


brought  about  great  discord.  The  ancients  and  the  mod- 
erns still  held  no  communication  with  one  another,  yet 
each  held  friendly  intercourse  with  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
Scotland,  which  in  turn  recognized  both  of  them  as  equally 
legitimate.  In  the  War  of  the  Eevolution  the  Craft  were 
divided  between  their  loyalty  to  the  King  of  England  and 
their  sympathies  for  the  colonies.  No  attempt  was  made, 
however,  to  take  the  general  feeling  of  the  Craft  on  this 
subject,  and  while  in  this  bloody  war  brother  was  arrayed 
against  brother,  Masonry  was  in  no  way  involved,  beyond 
the  part  it  played  in  exercising  its  mission  of  humanity  in 
the  brotherhood  of  man. 

When  the  war  closed,  with  the  acknowledgment  of 
the  independence  of  the  colonies,  it  was  but  natural  that 
the  Masonic  Fraternity  should  also  wish  to  be  independent. 
Accordingly  a  convention  of  delegates  was  held  in  1780 
for  the  purpose  of  forming  a  General  Grand  Lodge  of 
America.  General  George  Washington  was  unanimously 
suggested  as  the  first  choice  for  Grand  Master.  The  idea 
was  not  taken  to  kindly  and  the  organization  was  never 
perfected.  The  formation  of  Grand  Lodges  with  jurisdic- 
tion bounded  by  state  or  territorial  lines  was  gradually 
accomplished  and  all  Lodges  became  members  of  the  grand 
bodies  in  whose  jurisdiction  they  were  located. 


CAPITULAR  DEGREES. 

"Degree."  means  "step."  The  degrees,  therefore,  are 
the  steps  by  which  one  climbs  the  Masonic  stair. 

MAEK  MASTER. 

The  degrees  now  known  as  the  Mark  Master  and  Royal 
Arch  were  formerly  parts  of,  or,  at  least,  conferred  in 
Lodges  of  the  three  symbolic  degrees.  There  is  no  positive 
evidence  as  to  when  these  two  degrees  were  separated  from 
the  original  three. 

The  Mark  degree  was  first  recognized  as  a  separate 
degree  in  England  in  1856,  when  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Eng- 
land disclaimed  jurisdiction  over  it  in  the  following  reso- 
lution: "Resolved,  that  the  Mark  Master  degree  is  not 
positively  essential,  but  certainly  a  graceful  appendage  to 
the  degree  of  Fellow  Crafts."  It  was  about  this  time  that 
the  Grand  Lodge  of  Mark  Masons  was  established  in  Eng- 
land, and  the  degree  is  now  conferred  there  under  its 
exclusive  jurisdiction.  The  degree  is  practically  the  same 
in  England,  Ireland  and  Scotland,  but  differs  somewhat 
from  the  American  degree.  Outside  of  England  it  is  under 
the  jurisdiction  and  embodied  in  Capitular  Masonry. 

The  Mark  can  lay  claim  to  greater  antiquity  than  any 
of  the  other  Capitular  degrees.  As  it  is  now  conferred, 
it  is  the  blending  of  what  was  known  as  the  Mark  Man 
and  the  Mark  Mason  degrees.  It  probably  derived  its 
origin  from  a  custom  at  the  building  of  King  Solomon's 
temple  of  using  a  mark  as  a  means  of  identifying  the  work 
of  each  craftsman.  In  ancient  Operative  Lodges  no  Fellow 
of  the  Craft  was  given  a  mark  until  his  skill  entitled  him 
to  work  in  finished  stone,  and  upon  receiving  a  mark  he 
was  designated  as  a  Mark  Man.  The  Marks  were  in  charge 
of  an  overseer,  who  inspected  all  the  work,  and  who  was 
called  a  Mark  Master,  hence  the  distinction  of  Mark  Man 


50 


FREEMASONRY- WHEN,  WHERE,  HOW? 


and  Mark  Master.  The  Mark  Master  's  degree  is  very  useful 
in  its  symbolic  significance,  not  only  as  illustrative  of  the 
Fellow  Craft,  but  in  the  direction  of  order  and  discipline. 

PAST  MASTER. 

The  Past  Master's  degree  was  the  result  of  an  old 
regulation  observed  when  the  Royal  Arch  degree  was  only 
conferred  under  the  authority  and  sanction  of  Symbolic 
Lodges,  which  required  that  only  those  who  had  served 
as  Masters  of  Lodges  were  eligible  to  the  fourth  degree  in 
Masonry.  This  regulation  doubtless  had  its  origin  in  a 
custom  in  the  old  Operative  Lodges  of  examining  a  newly 
elected  Master  as  a  means  of  ascertaining  his  qualifications 
for  the  office.  This  examination  was  conducted  by  Past 
Masters  and  took  place  in  the  presence  of  Past  Masters 
only.  If  he  was  found  competent,  he  was  obligated  to  faith- 
fully perform  the  duties  of  the  office,  after  which  a  report 
was  made  to  the  Lodge,  this  report  being  taken  as  a  guar- 
antee and  the  Master  accordingly  installed.  After  the 
Royal  Arch  became  independent,  the  Past  Master's  degree 
was  made  a  part  of  Capitulary  Masonry,  and  virtual  Past 
Masters  are  made  in  a  Royal  Arch  Chapter.  The  Virtual 
Past  Master's  degree  does  not  make  a  man  an  actual  Past 
Master.  The  Past  Master's  degree  is  still  conferred  in 
some  States,  under  the  jurisdiction  of  Symbolic  Lodges, 
upon  a  "Worshipful  Master  at  his  installation. 

MOST  EXCELLENT  MASTER. 

The  Most  Excellent  Master's  degree  is  peculiarly 
American,  and  is  practiced  in  no  other  country.  It  is 
said  to  have  been  invented  by  Thomas  Smith  Webb,  who 
organized  Capitular  Masonry  in  this  country  in  1797  or 
1798.  It  is  entirely  different  from  the  Super-Excellent 
degree  of  Scotland  and  Ireland,  which  was  originally  an 
honorary  Scottish  degree,  but  is  said  to  form  a  beautiful 
preliminary  to  the  Royal  Arch. 


CAPITULAR  DEGREES 


51 


ROYAL  ARCH. 

The  Royal  Arch  was,  prior  to  1740,  conferred  under 
authority  of  a  Blue  Lodge  charter.  It  is  claimed  by  some 
that  as  a  separate  degree  it  is  the  result  of  a  mutilation  of 
the  Master's  degree,  which,  it  is  said,  took  place  about 
1740.  It  is  credited  in  turn  to  Dermott,  who  is  said  to  have 
fabricated  it  for  the  use  of  his  Grand  Lodge,  6 '  The  Ancient 
York;' 7  to  Dunkerly,  who  was  supposed  to  have  severed 
it  from  the  third  degree  in  the  legal  Grand  Lodge  of  Eng- 
land, and  to  Ramsey,  who  is  claimed  to  have  used  it  in 
the  introduction  of  the  high  degrees  on  the  Continent.  It 
was  first  conferred  under  the  sanction  of  Symbolic  Lodges, 
but  now  makes  the  culminating  part  of  Capitular  Masonry. 

That  eminent  Masonic  scholar,  Josiah  H.  Drummond 
of  Maine,  in  a  report  to  the  General  Grand  Chapter  of 
1897,  said:  "I  hold  that  the  formerly  prevailing  theory, 
that  the  Royal  Arch  was  a  part  of  the  Master's  degree,  is 
without  foundation.  It  is  generally  accepted  as  true  that 
the  degree  was  formerly  conferred  in  the  Lodge.  Masonic- 
ally  speaking,  that  was  impossible,  but  I  conclude  that  the 
actual  presence  of  a  Lodge  charter  was  accepted  as  suffi- 
cient authority  for  conferring  any  degree  claimed  to  be 
Mlasonic ;  that  the  Grand  Lodge  recognized  the  Royal  Arch 
as  a  Masonic  degree,  and  allowed  Lodges  to  permit  the  use 
of  their  charters  for  conferring  it,  and  that  the  only  con- 
nection which  the  Lodge  had  with  it  was  to  allow  the  use 
of  its  charter  in  doing  the  work.  In  1790  much  interest 
in  the  degree  existed.  There  was  no  regular  system  of 
degrees,  but  utter  confusion  prevailed,  and  it  may  be  said 
that  the  time  from  1790  to  1800  was  the  formative  period 
of  Royal  Arch  Masonry  in  this  country." 

The  legend  of  the  Royal  Arch  is  the  same  everywhere, 
but  its  preliminary  organization  is  different  in  each  coun- 
try.   In  England  it  is  still  considered  the  fourth  degree 


52  FREEMASONKY— WHEN,  WHERE,  HOW? 


in  Masonry,  and  a  Master  Mason  who  has  been  so  for 
twelve  months  is  eligible  for  exaltation. 

In  1844,  the  question  of  the  admission  into  Chapters 
in  the  United  States  of  English  Royal  Arch  Masons,  who 
had  not  taken  the  other  degrees  of  the  Royal  Arch  system, 
was  considered,  and  the  Chapters  were  instructed  to  ad- 
here to  the  uniform  manner,  long  established,  of  keeping 
the  several  degrees  separate  and  distinct,  and  the  Chapters 
were  authorized  to  confer  the  Mark,  Past,  and  Most  Ex- 
cellent degrees  on  such  persons  free  of  charge,  to  the  end 
that  they  might  be  considered  healed,  and  thereby  made 
regular  Royal  Arch  Masons,  and  entitled  to  visit  Chapters 
in  this  country.  In  1850,  the  same  question  was  presented, 
and  the  decision  of  1844  was  affirmed  and  an  amendment 
to  the  constitution  was  adopted  to  that  effect. 

In  Scotland,  the  preliminary  degrees  are  Mark,  Past, 
Excellent,  and  Super-Excellent  (I  believe  the  Past  Master 
degree  in  that  country  has  recently  been  abolished).  In 
Ireland,  the  qualifying  degrees  are  the  Past,  Excellent,  and 
Super-Excellent.  Wherever  Masonry  is  practiced,  the 
Royal  Arch  Degree  is  found  in  all  the  Rites  under  some 
peculiar  name,  and,  however  much  the  legend  may  differ, 
the  consummation  is  always  the  same,  the  great  discovery 
of  the  Lost  Wordy  or  Truth. 

Of  the  Royal  Arch  Degree,  Mackey,  in  his  encyclope- 
dia, says:  "Whoever  carefully  studies  the  Master's  de- 
gree in  its  symbolic  significance  will  be  convinced  that  it 
is  in  a  mutilated  condition;  that  is,  that  it  is  imperfect 
and  unfinished  in  its  history,  and  that,  terminating  abruptly 
in  its  symbolism,  it  leaves  the  mind  still  waiting  for  some- 
thing that  is  necessary  to  its  completeness.  This  deficiency 
is  supplied  by  the  Royal  Arch  Degree.  Hence,  when  the 
Union  took  place  in  England,  1813,  between  the  two  rival 
Grand  Lodges,  while  there  was  a  strong  hereditary  dispo- 
sition on  the  part  of  the  English  Mlasons  to  preserve  the 
simplicity  of  the  Old  York  Rite  by  confining  Freemasonry 
to  the  three  symbolical  degrees,  it  was  found  necessary  to 


CAPITULAR  DEGREES 


53 


define  Ancient  Craft  Masonry  as  consisting  of  three  de- 
degrees,  'including  the  Holy  Boyul  Arch/ 

6 1  There  was  a  time,  undoubtedly,  when  the  Royal  Arch 
did  not  exist,  as  an  independent  degree,  but  was  a  comple- 
mentary part  of  the  Master's  degree,  to  which  it  gave  a 
necessary  completion.  .  .  .  The  precise  method  and  time 
of  its  disseverance  in  England  and  America  constitute  an 
interesting  Masonic  inquiry. 

"Maintaining  everywhere  an  identity  in  its  symbolic 
signification,  the  Royal  Arch  varies  in  different  countries  in 
its  historical  details. 

"Ramsay's  degree,  from  which  all  the  continental  sys- 
tems originated,  is  entirely  different  from  that  practiced 
in  Great  Britain,  in  Ireland,  and  in  the  United  States.  Its 
type  may  be  found  in  the  thirteenth  degree,  or  Knight  of 
the  Ninth  Arch  of  the  Ancient  and  Accepted  Scottish  Rite. 

"In  England,  Scotland  and  the  United  States  the  cir- 
cumstance on  which  the  degree  is  founded,  or,  in  technical 
language,  the  legend,  is  the  same ;  but  the  preliminary  or- 
ganization is  different  in  each  country. 

' '  In  England,  in  1834,  considerable  changes  were  made 
in  the  ceremonies  of  exaltation,  but  the  general  outline  of 
the  system  was  preserved.  The  degree  is  the  fourth  in  the 
Masonic  series,  and  a  Master  Mason  who  has  been  so  for 
twelve  months  is  eligible  for  exaltation.  The  principal 
officers  of  an  English  Chapter  are:  Three  Principals, 
Zerubbabel,  Haggai  and  Joshua;  three  Sojourners  and  two 
Scribes,  Ezra  and  Nehemiah;  a  Treasurer  and  a  Janitor. 

"In  Scotland,  the  preliminary  degrees  are  Mark,  Past, 
Excellent  and  Super-Excellent  Master,  and  the  principal 
officers  are  the  same  as  in  England. 

"In  Ireland,  the  legend  was  formerly  different  from 
that  of  England,  and  founded  on  events  recorded  in  the 
Second  Book  of  Chronicles  (xxxiv.,  14),  where  Hilkiah  is 
said  to  have  found  'a  book  of  the  law  of  the  Lord  given 
by  Moses.'  The  date  of  the  events  of  this  degree  was, 
therefore,  624  B.  C,  or  ninety  years  after  ours.   The  pre- 


54  FREEMASONRY— WHEN,  WHERE,  HOW? 


liminary  or  qualifying  degrees  were :  Past,  Excellent  and 
Super-Excellent.  But  the  Irish  system  was  changed  some 
years  ago,  and  a  new  Ritual  somewhat  resembling  the 
American  was  adopted.  The  officers  do  not  materially 
differ  from  those  of  English  and  Scottish  Chapters. 

6 'In  America,  the  legend  is  the  same  as  in  English, 
but  varying  in  some  of  its  details.  The  preliminary  de- 
grees are  Mark,  Past  and  Most  Excellent  Master,  and  the 
principal  officers  are,  High  Priest,  King,  Scribe,  Captain 
of  the  Host,  Principal  Sojourner,  Royal  Arch  Captain, 
and  three  Masters  of  the  Veils. 

"I  have  said  that,  however,  the  legend  or  historical 
basis  might  vary  in  different  Rites,  in  all  of  them  the 
symbolical  signification  of  the  Royal  Arch  was  identical. 
Hence,  the  building  of  a  second  Temple,  so  prominent  a 
symbol  in  the  English  (and  American  systems,  and  so 
entirely  unknown  in  the  continental,  cannot  be  considered 
as  an  essential  point  in  the  symbolism  of  the  degree.  It 
is  important  in  the  systems  in  which  it  occurs,  but  it  is 
not  essential.  The  true  symbolism  of  the  Royal  Arch  sys- 
tem is  founded  on  the  discovery  of  the  Lost  Word. 

"It  can  never  be  too  often  repeated  that  the  Word  is, 
in  Masonry,  the  symbol  of  Truth.  This  truth  is  the  great 
object  of  pursuit  m  Masonry— the  scope  and  tendency  of 
all  its  investigations — the  promised  reward  of  all  Masonic 
labor.  Sought  for  diligently  in  every  degree  and  con- 
stantly approached,  but  never  thoroughly  and  intimately 
embraced,  at  length,  in  the  Royal  Arch,  the  veils  which 
concealed  the  object  of  search  from  our  view  are  with- 
drawn and  the  inestimable  prize  is  revealed. 

' '  This  truth,  which  Masonry  makes  the  great  object 
of  its  investigations,  is  not  the  mere  truth  of  science,  or 
the  truth  of  history,  but  is  the  more  important  truth 
which  is  synonymous  with  the  knowledge  of  the  nature 
of  God— that  truth  which  is  embraced  in  the  sacred  Tetra- 
grammaton,  or  omnific  name,  including  in  its  signification 
his  eternal,  present,  past  and  future  existence,   and  to 


CAPITULAR  DEGREES 


55 


which  he  himself  alluded  when  he  declared  to  Moses,  'I 
appeared  unto  Abraham,  unto  Isaac,  and  unto  Jacob  by 
the  name  of  God  Almighty;  but  by  my  name  Jehovah  was 
I  not  known  unto  them.' 

6 6  The  discovery  of  this  truth  is,  then,  the  essential  sym- 
bolism of  the  Royal  Arch  Degree.  Wherever  it  is  prac- 
ticed— and  under  some  peculiar  name  the  degree  is  found 
in  every  rite  of  Masonry — this  symbolism  is  preserved. 
However  the  legend  may  vary,  the  ceremonies  of  recep- 
tion and  the  preliminary  steps  of  initiation  may  differ, 
the  consummation  is  always  the  same — the  great  discov- 
ery which  represents  the  attainment  of  TRUTH.' ' 

GRAND  CHAPTERS  AND  GENERAL  GRAND 
CHAPTER. 

Prior  to  1795  there  was  no  Grand  Chapter  in  the 
United  States.  Chapters  were  held  in  conjunction  with 
Lodges. 

In  November,  1795,  a  Grand  Chapter  was  organized 
at  Philadelphia,  Pa.  However,  it  worked  in  harmony  with 
and  was,  in  fact,  an  integral  part  of  the  Grand  Lodge 
until  1824,  when  it  became  independent. 

On  October  24,  1797,  delegates  from  several  Chapters 
assembled  at  Boston  to  discuss  the  expediency  of  organiz- 
ing one  Grand  Chapter  for  several  States.  They  pre- 
pared an  address  to  the  Chapters  in  New  York  and  in  the 
New  England  States,  in  which  they  denied  the  power  of 
the  Lodges  or  Grand  Lodge  to  exercise  authority  over  the 
Royal  Arch  Masons,  and  declared  it  to  be  expedient  to 
establish  a  Grand  Chapter.  This  convention  was  pre- 
sided over  by  Thomas  Smith  Webb. 

Following  this,  delegates  from  most  of  the  States  of 
that  section  met  at  Hartford,  Conn.,  on  January  24,  1798, 
and  organized  a  Grand  Chapter.  They  adopted  a  consti- 
tution and  elected  and  installed  Grand  Officers.  This 
Grand  Chapter  had  jurisdiction   over  New  Hampshire, 


56  FREEMASONRY— WHEN,  WHERE,  HOW? 


Massachusetts,  Rhode  Island,  Connecticut,  Vermont,  and 
New  York,  and  was  named  the  6  '  Grand  Royal  Arch  Chap- 
ter of  the  Northern  States  of  America."  They  authorized 
the  Chapters  in  the  several  States  represented  to  organize 
what  they  called  Deputy  Grand  Royal  Arch  Chapters. 

The  next  convocation  was  held  at  Middletown,  Conn., 
in  September,  1798.  The  next  was  at  Providence,  R.  I., 
in  January,  1799.  Septennial  meetings  were  provided  for 
instead  of  annual.  The  next  convocation  was  at  Middle- 
town,  Conn.,  January  9,  1806.  This  meeting  resolved  it- 
self into  a  committee  of  the  whole,  and  changed  the  title 
of  the  organization  so  as  to  read,  "General  Grand 
Chapter  of  Royal  Arch  Masons  for  the  United  States  of 
America."  The  jurisdiction  was  extended  over  the  whole 
country.  This  was  the  real  beginning  of  the  General 
Grand  Chapter,  but  it  is  dated  from  October  24,  1797. 

At  the  session  of  1826  the  General  Grand  Chapter 
voted  to  meet  every  three  years,  instead  of  every  seven, 
and  the  meetings  have  been  held  triennially  ever  since. 

All  the  State  Grand  Chapters  have  joined  the  General 
Grand  Chapter  except  Pennsylvania  and  Virginia. 

The  General  Grand  Chapter  honored  Arkansas  by 
holding  its  triennial  meeting  in  1903  at  Little  Rock,  Ark., 
October  6.  In  1871  Elbert  H.  English  of  Little  Rock, 
Ark.,  was  elected  General  Grand  High  Priest.  Charles  N. 
Rix  of  Hot  Springs,  Ark.,  is  at  present  General  Grand 
Captain  of  the  Host,  and  in  line  to  be  General  Grand  High 
Priest.  There  are  nearly  half  a  million  Royal  Arch  Ma- 
sons in  the  United  States. 


ORDER  OF  HIGH  PRIESTHOOD. 

This  degree  finds  its  first  mention  in  the  second  edition 
of  Webb's  Monitor,  published  in  1802,  under  the  head, 
' '  Observations  on  the  Order  of  High  Priests. ' '  Very  prob- 
ably Webb  originated  the  degree  about  that  time.  It  is  not 
known  outside  of  America.  It  was  likely  formulated  by 
the  Committee  on  Constitutional  Revision  of  the  General 
Grand  Chapter  in  1799,  as  this  committee  reported  back 
a  form  for  the  installation  of  High  Priests,  which  pro- 
vided, at  a  certain  point  in  the  ceremonies,  for  the  exclu- 
sion of  all  who  were  not  High  Priests;  and  ' ' after  the 
performance  of  other  necessary  ceremonies,  not  proper  to 
be  written,"  the  excluded  persons  were  permitted  to  re- 
turn. It  is  surmised  that  the  "  other  necessary  ceremo- 
nies, not  proper  to  be  written/'  were  the  present  ceremo- 
nials of  consecrating  and  anointing  to  the  Priesthood. 
Webb  was  a  member  of  the  committee,  and  the  controlling 
spirit  of  the  General  Grand  Chapter  at  that  time. 

The  original  idea  was  that  the  consecration,  even 
though  performed  in  private,  should  be  a  part  of  the  in- 
stallation of  High  Priests,  and  so  remained,  in  theory  at 
least,  until  1853,  when  the  section  relating  to  the  same 
was  repealed  by  the  General  Grand  Chapter.  Since  this 
time  it  has  been  entirely  disconnected  from  the  ceremony 
of  installation,  and  is  conferred  as  an  honorarium  upon 
the  High  Priests  of  Royal  Arch  Chapters. 

The  Order  was  originally  conferred  in  occasional 
councils  or  conventions,  and  when  the  work  was  accom- 
plished the  council  would  dissolve.  A  candidate  desirous 
of  receiving  the  Order  made  a  written  request  to  his  pred- 
ecessor in  office,  or  in  some  cases  to  the  Grand  High  Priest, 
whereupon  a  convention  was  called  for  such  purpose.  The 
Order  was  then  conferred  upon  him,  and  due  return  of 
the  fact  made  to  the  Secretary  of  the  Grand  Chapter. 

But  at  the  present  time,  organizations  of  a  more  or 
less  permanent  character  exist  in  all  the  States  except 
New  York  and  Pennsylvania.    In  New  York  the  Order 


58  FREEMASONRY— WHEN,  WHERE,  HOW? 


is  under  the  immediate  supervision-  of  the  Grand  High 
Priest,  who  calls  conventions  for  the  purpose  of  conferring 
the  degree,  at  his  pleasure,  and  of  which  he  makes  due 
report  to  Grand  Chapter.  In  Pennsylvania  the  conferring 
of  the  Order  is  a  part  of  the  regular  installation  service. 

The  General  Grand  Chapter,  at  its  convocation  in 
1853,  passed  the  following: 

"Resolved,  That  while  in  deference  to  the  long  estab- 
lished usage  of  Royal  Arch  Masonry  in  this  country,  it  is 
recommended  that  every  newly-elected  High  Priest  should, 
as  soon  as  is  convenient,  receive  the  Order  of  High  Priest- 
hood, his  anointment  as  such  is  not  necessary  to  his  in- 
stallation or  to  the  full  and  entire  discharge  of  all  his 
powers  and  duties  as  the  presiding  officer  of  his  Chapter." 

At  present,  in  most  of  the  States,  .the  Order  is  con- 
ferred only  in  some  regularly  organized  body,  variously 
known  as  a  ' ' convention ' '  or  "council,"  which  has  re- 
ceived either  an  express  or  tacit  recognition  by  the  State 
Grand  Chapter. 

The  first  attempt  at  organization  seems  to  have  been 
made  in  Maryland,  where  a  Council  was  established  on 
May  7,  1824.  This  was  followed  by  Massachusetts,  where 
a  Council  was  formed  November  6,  1826,  and  two  years 
later  a  Council  was  organized  in  Ohio.  These  bodies, 
which  are  still  in  existence,  may  be  regarded  as  the  pre- 
mier organizations,  and  have  served  as  models  for  all 
councils  formed  in  later  years. 

As  a  rule,  all  Grand  Councils  employ  the  same  offi- 
cers. The  chief  officer  is  styled  President,  and  officers 
carry  titles  suggested  by  the  Ritual. 

THE  WORK. 

The  Ritual  of  the  degree  seems  to  be  substantially 
uniform  in  all  the  States,  except  in  Arkansas,  where  we 
have  a  special  ritual,  different  from  that  in  use  elsewhere. 
It  is  the  work  of  Albert  Pike.  We  have  the  original  copy, 
in  Pike's  own  handwriting. 


ORDER  OF  HIGH  PRIESTHOOD 


59 


THE  BASIC  LEGEND. 

The  legend  upon  which  the  Order  of  High  Priesthood 
rests  is  found  in  the  fourteenth  chapter  of  Genesis,  and 
recites  the  exploits  of  Abraham  as  a  warrior  and  the  bless- 
ing pronounced  upon  him  by  Melchizedek. 

SYMBOLISM  OF  THE  DEGREE. 

The  symbolic  design  of  the  degree  is  to  present  to  the 
candidate  the  bond  of  brotherly  love,  which  should  unite 
those  who,  having  been  elevated  to  the  highest  station  by 
their  companions,  are  thus  engaged  in  one  common  task 
of  preserving  the  landmarks  of  the  Order  unimpaired,  and 
in  protecting,  by  their  authority,  the  integrity  and  honor 
of  the  institution.  Thus,  separated  from  the  general  mass 
of  laborers  in  the  field  of  Masonry,  and  consecrated  to  a 
sacred  mission  as  teachers  of  its  glorious  truths,  those  who 
sit  in  the  Tabernacle  as  the  representatives  of  the  ancient 
High  Priesthood,  are,  by  the  impressive  ceremonies  of 
this  degree,  reminded  of  the  intimate  friendship  and  fel- 
lowship which  should  exist  between  all  those  who  have 
been  honored  with  this  distinguished  privilege. 


CRYPTIC  DEGREES. 

These  degrees,  commonly  called  the  Council  Degrees, 
were  originally  supernumerary  or  detached  degrees  of  the 
Ancient  and  Accepted  Scottish  Rite.  They  originally  em- 
braced the  Royal  and  Select  Master  only,  the  Super-Ex- 
cellent degree  being  the  addition  of  modern  Ritualists. 
The  origin  of  these  degrees  has  been  the  subject  of  much 
dispute.  They  probably  came  from  Europe,  but  when  and 
how  is  mere  conjecture.  We  know  that  in  1783  the  de- 
grees of  Royal  and  Select  Master  were  conferred  in  Charles- 
ton, S.  C,  in  Scottish  Rite  Lodges  of  Perfection.  They 
also  came  to  this  country  from  France  in  1766,  according 
to  Albert  Pike,  and  were  first  communicated  in  the  Scot- 
tish Rite. 

The  Royal  Arch  degrees  are  a  prerequisite  to  the 
Council  degrees.  The  Royal  Master,,  or  the  first  degree 
of  the  Council,  is  intimately  connected  with  the  Royal 
Arch.  The  Select  Master,  or  the  second  degree,  really 
covers  a  period  antecedent  to  that  covered  by  the  Royal 
Master,  and  yet  it  is  given  the  second  place  in  the  Coun- 
cil, because  it  is  claimed  its  secrets  were  not  brought  to 
light  until  after  the  events  covered  by  the  former  took 
place.  The  Super-Excellent  Degree  is  peculiarly  Amer- 
ican, and  is  not  conferred  by  all  Councils,  being  treated 
as  an  honorary  degree  by  some.  It  does  not,  strictly 
speaking,  belong  to  the  Cryptic  degrees,  but  should  be  a 
part  of  the  Royal  Arch.  However,  it  is  a  very  beautiful 
finish,  and  no  serious  objection  can  be  found  to  its  being 
embodied  in  the  Council. 

GRAND  COUNCILS. 

Charters  were  granted  by  the  Scottish  Rite  Supreme 
Council  or  its  officers  for  the  establishment  of  subordinate 
Councils  of  Royal  and  Select  Masters. 

Later  these  Councils  united  in  the  formation  of  State 
Grand  Councils,  and  threw  off  the  allegiance  of  the  Su- 


CRYPTIC  DEGREES 


61 


preme  Council  Scottish  Rite,  to  which  the  Supreme  Coun- 
cil seemed  to  have  offered  no  objections,  but  retained  its 
right  to  confer  the  degrees  where  no  Council  of  Royal  and 
Select  Masters  existed,  a  prerogative  which,  however,  it  did 
not  exercise,  and  in  1870  formally  relinquished  entire  con- 
trol over  the  degrees. 

GENERAL  GRAND  COUNCIL. 

In  1871  the  Grand  Council  of  Massachusetts  led  in 
the  formation  of  a  General  Grand  Council  for  the  United 
States.  Fourteen  Grand  Councils  were  represented  at  a 
meeting  held  in  New  York  City,  June  12,  1872.  The  fol- 
lowing was  adopted: 

"Whereas,  In  some  jurisdictions  the  question  has  been 
mooted  of  surrendering  the  Cryptic  degrees  to  the  Chap- 
ter; and 

"Whereas,  There  are  many  companions  who  "have  re- 
ceived the  degrees  in  Chapters,  or  from  Sovereign  In- 
spectors of  the  A.  A.  S.  Rite.  Therefore, 

"Resolved,  That  it  is  the  sense  of  this  convention  that 
the  Cryptic  degrees  shall  be  under  the  exclusive  jurisdic- 
tion of  the  Grand  Councils,  and  that  no  one  shall  be  rec- 
ognized as  a  regular  Companion  of  the  Rite  who  has  not 
received  the  degrees  in  a  lawfully  constituted  Council  or 
by  authority  of  the  Supreme  Council  of  the  A.  A.  S.  Rite, 
previous  to  this  date,  or  has  been  lawfully  healed." 

Another  meeting  of  the  convention  was  held  in  New 
York,  June,  1873,  which  was  attended  by  the  representa- 
tives from  nineteen  Grand  Councils.  The  following  res- 
olution was  adopted: 

"That  the  order  of  the  succession  of  the  degrees  be: 
First,  Royal  Master;  second,  Select  Master;  and  that  it 
be  left  optional  with  each  Grand  Council  to  confer  the 
Super-Excellent  M]aster  Degree  as  an  honorary  degree." 

It  was  voted  to  be  the  sense  of  the  convention  that 
a  General  Grand  Council  should  be  formed.  Meetings 


62 


FKEEMASONKY— WHEN,  WHERE,  HOW? 


were  subsequently  held  in  New  Orleans,  December,  1874, 
and  in  Buffalo,  N.  Y.,  August,  1877,  in  furtherance  of  this 
object. 

At  the  latter  meeting  twenty-two  Grand  Councils 
(with  Ontario)  were  represented.  A  later  meeting  was 
held  at  Detroit,  August  25,  1880.  A  constitution  was 
adopted,  which,  when  ratified  by  nine  Grand  Councils,  was 
to  become  operative. 

On  February  23,  1881,  George  W.  Cooley,  General 
Grand  Recorder,  announced  that  the  Grand  Councils  of 
New  York,  Minnesota,  Ohio,  Indiana,  Maryland,  Tennes- 
see, Massachusetts,  Alabama,  and  Louisiana  had  ratified 
it,  and  on  March  1,  1881,  the  General  Grand  Master, 
Josiah  H.  Drummond  of  Maine,  issued  a  circular  declar- 
ing the  General  Grand  Council  formed.  South  Carolina 
had,  in  the  meantime,  adopted  the  constitution.  Since 
then  all  but  eight  States  have  joined  the  General  Grand 
Council.  Those  not  joining  are  Connecticut,  Illinois,  Mich- 
igan, New  Jersey,  Pennsylvania,  Rhode  Island,  Texas,  and 
Wisconsin. 

The  General  Grand  Council  meets  every  three  years, 
and  for  convenience  it  meets  at  the  same  time  and  place 
as  the  General  Grand  Chapter,  Royal  Arch  Masons. 

Arkansas  was  honored  by  the  Eighth  Triennial  As- 
sembly of  the  General  Grand  Council,  being  held  at  Little 
Rock,  Ark.,  October  5  and  6,  1903.  Companion  Pay  Hemp- 
stead of  Arkansas  is  General  Grand  Conductor,  and  in 
line,  eventually  to  be  General  Grand  Master  of  the  Gen- 
eral Grand  Council.  George  Thornburgh  of  Arkansas  was 
chosen  General  Grand  Sentinel  in  1903,  but  did  not  attend 
the  General  Grand  Council  thereafter. 

There  are  115,000  Cryptic  Masons  in  good  standing 
in  the  United  States. 


TEMPLARISM. 


The  belief  that  modern  Templarism  came  from  and 
succeeded  the  Knights  Templar  of  the  Crusades  is  not 
justified  by  the  facts  of  history.  There  is  no  doubt  but 
that  many  of  the  traditions  and  customs  of  the  military 
orders  of  the  Crusades  were  adopted  and  incorporated  into 
the  Templar  system  of  today;  therefore,  a  brief  history 
of  the  foremost  of  these  ancient  orders  will  not  be  out  of 
place. 

KNIGHTS  TEMPLAR. 

This  order  of  chivalry  was  founded  about  A.  D.  1118, 
and  was  the  outgrowth  of  the  Crusades.  The  advent  of 
Jesus  of  Nazareth,  his  crucifixion,  burial,  and  resurrec- 
tion made  of  Palestine  the  6 6 Holy  Land,"  and  of  his 
sepulcher  a  Mecca  to  which  countless  thousands  journeyed 
in  their  zeal. 

These  pilgrimages  were  attended  with  great  peril 
and  danger,  owing  to  the  intense  hatred  of  the  Christian 
faith  by  the  Turks,  who  displaced  the  Saracens  as  rulers 
of  Palestine. 

The  pilgrims  were  considered  by  the  Turks  as  law- 
ful prey,  and  such  inhuman  outrages  were  perpetrated  on 
the  hapless  pilgrims  in  their  journeys  that  all  Europe  was 
filled  with  indignation  and  a  desire  to  avenge  the  atroci- 
ties. This  state  of  feeling  was  intensified  and  brought  to 
a  crucial  point  through  the  experience  of  a  Monk,  Peter 
the  Hermit,  who,  in  making  the  pilgrimage  to  the  Holy 
City,  was  subjected  to  all  the  indignities  commonly  put 
upon  the  pilgrims,  and  witnessed  the  oppression,  spoli- 
ation, and  pillage  by  the  Moslems.  He  came  back  fired 
with  a  zeal  to  rescue  the  Holy  Land  from  the  Moslem 
control.  Thus  was  conceived  the  first  Crusade,  which 
ended  so  disastrously.  The  atrocities  continued,  and  a 
second  Crusade  was  formed,  under  the  leadership  of  God- 


\ 

64  FBEEMASONRY— WHEN,  WHERE,  HOW? 


frey  de  Bouilon,  which  met  with  better  success,  capturing 
the  city  of  Jerusalem. 

Hugh  de  Paganis,  a  Knight  of  Burgundy,  with  eight 
companion  knights,  bound  themselves  to  guard  the  ap- 
proaches to  the  sacred  places  so  that  the  pilgrims  might 
have  easy  access.  They  were  sworn  to  live  as  church 
canons  and  to  fight  for  the  6 6 King  of  Heaven,"  and  to 
practice  chastity,  obedience,  and  self-denial. 

Of  this  band,  the  founder,  Hugh  de  Paganis,  became 
the  Grand  Master.  Quarters  were  assigned  them  at  Jeru- 
salem in  the  palace  of  the  kings.  This  palace  was  also 
known  as  the  Temple  of  Solomon,  and  from  it  they  de- 
rived the  name  of  "Knights  of  the  Temple,  or  Knights 
Templar."  They  rendered  valiant  services,  and  it  was 
not  long  until  their  fame  spread  throughout  Europe,  and 
the  scions  of  noble  houses  eagerly  sought  to  enlist  them- 
selves under  the  banners  of  so  distinguished  an  Order. 
The  organization  increased  rapidly  until  they  were  at  the 
head  of  military  orders.  The  military  prowess,  the  order 
and  discipline  maintained,  and  their  fortitude  under  most 
trying  circumstances,  led  Louis  VII  of  France  to  reorgan- 
ize his  entire  army  after  the  pattern  set  by  them.  Many 
possessions  were  bestowed  upon  the  Order,  and  it  became, 
in  rank  and  influence,  second  to  none.  Their  gifts  were 
enormous,  and  their  possessions  yielded  revenues  exceed- 
ing the  income  of  kings.  Pope  Honorious  II  bestowed 
upon  the  Order  the  white  garb  and  the  red  cross,  the  latter 
to  be  worn  upon  the  breast  as  a  symbol  of  martyrdom. 

From  this  time  on  the  history  of  the  Knights  Templar 
is  a  history  of  the  Crusades.  Nearly  one  hundred  years 
later,  after  a  series  of  disastrous  conflicts,  the  Templars 
were  driven  from  the  soil  of  Asia,  and  were  never  again 
able  to  gain  a  foothold.  Notwithstanding  this  misfortune 
in  the  East,  the  Order  was  still  a  power  in  Western  Europe. 
After  the  Crusades,  the  Templars  retired  to  their  numer- 
ous preceptories  and  gave  up  all  hope  of  recovering  the 
Holy  Land.    They  were  now  no  longer  considered  a  mili- 


TEMPLARISM 


65 


tary  power ;  their  day  of  usefulness  had  passed.  The  feel- 
ings of  jealousy  in  other  institutions  less  favored  with 
privileges,  which  had  long  been  smouldering,  now  burst 
into  a  fierce  flame  with  the  waning  popularity  of  the  Order. 
Pope  Clement  V,  who  had  long  been  jealous  and  distrust- 
ful of  its  power  and  its  fidelity  to  the  Papacy,  decided  that 
the  time  was  now  ripe  to  bring  about  its  overthrow.  In 
this  he  found  a  willing  ally  in  Philip  the  Fair,  King  of 
France,  to  whose  gold  and  influence  he  owed  his  possession 
of  the  Papal  tiara.  This  ungrateful  monarch,  who  was 
under  obligations  for  his  life  to  the  shelter  from  the  Paris 
mob,  afforded  him  by  Templars,  had  long  coveted  the  rich 
possessions  of  the  Order.  These  two  worthies  made  haste 
to  carry  out  their  conspiracy.  An  imprisoned  Templar 
was  induced  to  betray  the  secrets  of  his  brethren,  and  his 
words  were  retailed  to  ears  eager  for  any  possible  accu- 
sation which  would  foment  popular  indignation  and  fur- 
ther the  schemes  of  the  King  and  Pope.  On  the  14th  of 
September  the  King  issued  an  order  for  the  arrest  of  all 
Templars  in  the  kingdom.  This  order  was  not  executed, 
for  some  reason,  until  the  night  of  October  13,  when  the 
Grand  Master  and  sixty  Companions  were  taken  in  Paris. 
The  following  day  they  were  assembled  to  listen  to  the 
charges  against  them,  after  which  they  were  returned  to 
confinement.  The  next  day,  Sunday,  the  priests  from  the 
pulpits  denounced  the  Order  and  accused  its  members  of 
the  grossest  iniquities,  and  by  the  fiercest  invectives 
stirred  up  a  wave  of  popular  indignation  against  them  in 
the  minds  of  the  Parisian  mob.  The  tortures  of  the  in- 
quisition were  then  resorted  to,  and  the  confessions  wrung 
from  them  in  the  very  agonies  of  death  were  made  to  sus- 
tain every  charge.  The  Templars'  possessions  everywhere 
were  robbed,  their  characters  defamed,  and  many  lives 
lost  in  the  inhuman  tortures  created  for  their  especial 
benefit.  The  example  of  France  in  the  suppression  of  the 
Order  was  quickly  followed  throughout  Western  Europe. 


66 


FREEMASONRY- WHEN,  WHERE,  HOW? 


On  August  12,  1308,  Pope  Clement  issued  a  bull,  as 
previously  agreed  upon,  instituting  a  commission  of  in- 
quiry at  Paris  to  conduct  an  examination  of  the  charges 
against  the  Order.  This  inquiry  at  once  proceeded  to  exam- 
ine various  witnesses,  and  with  such  manifest  unfairness 
as  to  call  forth  vigorous  protests,  but  in  vain.  The  in- 
quiry dragged  on,  and  many  innocent  Knights  were  found 
guilty  upon  testimony  extorted  by  torture. 

On  the  28th  of  March,  1310,  five  hundred  and  forty- 
six  Templars  appeared  before  the  commission  and  asked 
for  a  hearing.  They  were  told  to  choose  proctors  to  speak 
in  their  behalf,  but,  in  consequence  of  their  inability  to 
pay  the  enormous  fees  charged,  the  hearing  was  denied 
them.  It  was  not  the  purpose  of  the  commission  to  estab- 
lish the  innocence  of  the  accused,  and  the  Knights  were 
treated  with  the  utmost  rigor.  On  May  12,  1310,  fifty-four 
Templars  were  declared  heretics  and  condemned  to  the 
stake.  This  inquiry  finally  closed  its  labors  on  the  11th 
of  June,  1311.  The  council  general  announced  by  the 
Pope  in  1308  met  shortly  after  the  inquiry  closed  to  de1 
cide  definitely  upon  this  6 6 cause  celebre."  Three  hundred 
bishops  assembled  in  response  to  Papal  summons.  It  was 
evident  from  the  start  the  council  was  averse  to  the 
schemes  of  the  King  and  Pope.  Clement,  therefore,  post- 
poned the  final  decision  of  the  cases  and  speedily  dispersed 
the  general  council.  In  March  he  called  together  some  of 
the  more  docile  bishops  and  proceeded  to  announce  the 
condemnation  and  abolition  of  the  Order.  This  was  of- 
ficially proclaimed  in  April,  1312.  Grand  Master  Molai 
had  been  held  in  rigorous  confinement  in  the  hope  that  a 
confession  might  be  obtained  from  him,  which  would  serve 
to  blacken  the  Order  through  its  chief  official.  Unsuccess- 
ful in  this,  the  ecclesiastical  commission,  at  Paris,  called 
Molai  and  the  three  surviving  grand  dignitaries  before 
them  and  read  to  them  the  confessions  which  it  was  said 
they  had  made.  The  untruth  of  these  statements  aroused 
in  the  feeble  and  emaciated  Molai  all  his  courage,  and,  to 


TEMPLAEISM 


67 


the  surprise  of  those  present,  he  denounced  in  bitter  words 
the  statements  as  false.  Notwithstanding  this,  the  King, 
not  to  be  blocked  in  his  purpose  of  vengeance,  adjudged 
them  guilty  and  ordered  them  burned  at  the  stake  at  the 
close  of  the  day.  At  the  hour  of  vespers  this  cruel,  brutal 
mandate  was  executed.  While  being  bound  to  the  stake, 
the  noble  martyr  is  said  to  have  asked  permission  to  fold 
his  hands,  that  he  might  make  a  prayer  to  his  God.  Before 
expiring,  he  remarked  in  a  loud  voice,  "I  am  presently 
to  die  wrongfully.  Woe  will  come  ere  long  to  those  who 
condemn  us  without  cause.  God  will  avenge  our  death.' ' 
Strange  as  it  may  seem,  the  Pope  died  on  the  20th  day  of 
April,  less  than  forty  days  after,  and  the  King  within  the 
year.  Thus  the  vengeance  of  God  swiftly  overtook  them 
both.  Today  the  King  and  Pope  are  regarded  infamous, 
while  DeMolai  is  held  in  honored  remembrance,  and  his 
memory  will  be  revered  as  long  as  time  shall  last. 

Thus  it  was  that,  after  an  existence  of  two  hundred 
years,  the  Order  of  the  Temple  perished.  Many  of  the 
members  united  with  the  Order  of  St.  John,  where  their 
identity  as  Templars  was  lost.  Many  retired  to  religious 
houses  and  others  to  private  life.  The  theory  that  after 
their  dispersion  the  Templars  took  refuge  in  the  body  of 
Operative  Masons  has  been  pronounced  by  the  highest 
authority  as  without  foundation. 

MASONIC  TEMPLAEISM. 

The  origin  of  Masonic  or  Modern  Templarism  is  quite 
a  mystery.  Mackey  says  there  are  four  sources  from  which 
the  Masonic  Templars  could  have  derived  existence,  viz: 

First.  From  the  Templars  who  claimed  John  Mark 
Larmenius  as  the  successor  to  Jacques  de  Molai. 

Second.  Those  who  recognize  Peter  D'Aumont  as 
Molai 's  successor. 

Third.  Those  who  derive  Templarism  from  Count 
Beaujeu,  the  nephew  of  Molai. 

Fourth.    Those  who  claim  independent  origin. 


68 


FKEEMASONBY— WHEN,  WHERE,  HOW? 


From  the  first  class  spring  the  Templars  of  France, 
who  profess  to  have  continued  the  Order  by  authority  of  a 
charter  given  by  Molai  to  Larmenius. 

The  second  division  is  that  founded  on  the  theory  that 
Peter  D'Aumont  fled  into  Scotland  with  several  Knights, 
and  there  united  with  the  Masons.  Baron  Hund  carried 
this  theory  to  Germany,  and  on  it  founded  the  Rite  of 
Strict  Observance. 

The  third  division  asserts  that  Count  Beaujeu,  a 
nephew  of  Molai  and  a  member  of  the  Order  of  the  Knights 
of  Christ,  received  authority  from  that  Order  to  dissem- 
inate the  degree.  He  is  said  to  have  carried  it  to  Sweden, 
where  he  incorporated  it  with  Masonry;  hence  the  origin 
of  the  Swedish  Templars. 

Of  the  fourth,  or  independent  class,  there  are  two 
divisions — the  Scotch  and  the  English.  In  Scotland, 
where  the  Templars  escaped  persecution,  it  is  claimed  they 
lived  amicably  until  the  reformation,  when  many  of  them 
embraced  Protestantism,  and  some  united  with  the  Order 
of  Freemasons  and  established  the  4 'Ancient  Lodge' '  at 
Sterling,  where  they  conferred  the  degrees  of  Knight  of 
Malta,  Knight  of  Sepulcher,  and  Knight  Templar.  To  this 
division  is  traced  the  Masonic  Templars  of  Scotland.  The 
English  Templars  are  probably  derived  from  that  body 
called  the  "Baldwyn  Encampment, "  which  it  is  claimed 
was  formed  by  members  of  the  preceptory  which  had  long 
existed  at  Bristol,  and  who,  on  the  dissolution  of  the  Tem- 
plars, were  supposed  to  have  united  with  the  Masonic  Fra- 
ternity. From  this  encampment  also  most  probably  came 
the  Templars  of  the  United  States. 

Templarism  was  first  introduced  into  England  as 
a  degree  in  the  Masonic  Lodges,  in  that  branch  known  as 
the  Ancients,  in  1740,  but  it  was  not  until  1780  that  the 
degrees  were  merged  into  the  Masonic  system.  In  June, 
1791,  a  grand  conclave  was  held  in  London,  a  governing 
body  organized,  and  a  combined  ritual  of  the  Templars  and 
of  the  Order  of  St.  John  was  adopted.  The  Rose  Croix  and 


TEMPLAEISM 


69 


Kadosh,  now  of  the  Scottish  Rite,  were  given  in  all  Templar 
encampments  until  the  establishment  of  the  Scottish  Rite  in 
England,  when  the  right  to  confer  them  was  relinquished.  In 
1853  a  revision  of  the  ritual  took  place,  when  the  degree  of 
Malta  was  excluded,  but  it  was  again  added  in  1873.  In 
this  year  a  general  conclave  was  held,  and  from  the  na- 
tional encampments  of  the  empire  was  formed  the  "Con- 
vent General."  From  this  conclave  resulted  a  complete 
revision  of  the  ritual  and  the  restoration  of  the  Order  of 
the  Temple  to  its  original  position  and  character,  and  the 
rejection  of  all  novelties  and  innovations.  The  ritual  then 
adopted  is  used  in  England,  Scotland,  Ireland,  Canada, 
and  throughout  the  Britism  Empire,  but  essentially  differs 
from  that  of  the  American  system.  This  difference  be- 
tween the  two  systems  has  given  rise  to  much  discussion 
among  the  advocates  of  each. 

AMERICAN  TEMPLARISM. 

Previous  to  the  Revolutionary  War  no  separate  Tem- 
plar bodies  existed  in  the  colonies.  The  degree  in  some 
form  was  conferred  under  the  sanction  of  the  Blue  Lodge. 
Blue  Lodges  did  not  actually  issue  warrants  for  the  con- 
ferring of  the  Temple  degree,  for  at  that  time  the  higher 
degrees  were  governed  by  no  statute  of  Masonry.  It  was 
merely  customary  for  the  Master's  Lodges  to  confer  the 
higher  degrees  of  which  they  had  knowledge  on  worthy 
brother  Master  Masons  after  the  closing  of  the  regular 
Lodge.  The  organization,  if  any,  was  temporary  in  its 
character,  and  no  records  kept  of  the  proceedings. 

The  first  account  of  the  conferring  of  the  Knights 
Templar  degree  in  this  country  is  found  in  the  records 
of  St.  Andrew's  Royal  Arch  Lodge,  held  August,  1769,  in 
Boston,  where  we  find  that  Brother  William  Davis  re- 
ceived the  Excellent,  Super-Excellent,  Royal  Arch,  and 
the  Knight  Templar  degrees.  However,  the  first  encamp- 
ment of  Knights  Templar  was  probably  organized  and  held 
in  Charleston,  S.  C,  in  1780.   St.  John's  Commandery  No. 


70  FBEEMASONKY— WHEN,  WHERE,  HOW? 


1  of  Providence,  R.  L,  organized  in  1802,  is  the  oldest 
chartered  Commandery,  and  has  continuous  records  from 
the  date  of  its  organization.  St.  John's  Encampment  was 
the  cradle  of  the  American  Templar  Ritual,  which  was 
formulated  by  Thomas  Smith  Webb,  within  its  Asylum. 
In  this  Commandery  a  combination  of  Rituals  of  older 
degrees  was  first  worked  under  the  name  of  Red  Cross, 
and  here  was  first  witnessed  the  redressed  Templar  de- 
grees, introducing  new  incidents  and  ceremonies,  which 
so  distinguished  it  from  the  English  degree,  and  which 
has  been  the  source  of  so  much  contention  and  dispute 
between  the  British  and  American  adherents.  The  first 
Grand  Commandery  was  organized  in  May,  1805,  being 
styled  " Grand  Encampment  of  the  United  States."  In 
June,  1816,  a  convention  was  held  in  Philadelphia  for  the 
purpose  of  uniting  all  the  Encampments  under  one  head 
and  general  form  of  government.  A  constitution  was 
adopted,  and,  upon  ratification  later  by  the  Grand  En- 
campment of  Massachusetts  and  Rhode  Island,  it  became 
the  supreme  law  of  American  Templarism  and  the  source 
of  all  Templar  bodies  thereafter.  It  was  named  "The 
General  Grand  Encampment  of  the  United  States."  De- 
Witt  Clinton,  one  of  the  leading  men  of  the  nation,  was 
chosen  first  Grand  Master,  and  Thomas  Smith  Webb, 
Deputy. 

The  Grand  Encampment  meets  every  three  years  at 
such  place  as  it  may  vote.  In  1856  a  new  constitution  was 
adopted.  It  was  drafted  by  Rob.  Morris.  This  new  con- 
stitution changed  the  name  by  omitting  the  word  "Gen- 
eral," so  that  the  name  should  thereafter  be  "The  Grand 
Encampment  of  the  United  States." 

The  title  of  subordinate  bodies  was  changed  from 
"Encampment"  to  "Commandery."  In  the  Grand  En- 
campment held  in  Chicago,  September  13,  1859,  Luke  E. 
Barber  and  Albert  Pike  appeared  from  Hugh  de  Payens 
Commandery,  Little  Rock,  Ark.,  which  was  then  under  the 


TEMPLAEISM 


71 


immediate  jurisdiction  of  the  Grand  Encampment  of  the 
United  States. 

A  Templar  uniform  was  adopted,  corresponding  with 
the  Sur  Coat  and  mantle  of  the  original  Crusader.  It  was 
found  impractical  and  abrogated  at  the  next  meeting,  and 
the  present  uniform  was  adopted. 

The  Triennial  of  1862  was  to  have  been  held  at  Mem- 
phis, Tenn.,  but  the  Civil  War  caused  it  to  be  held  at  New 
York. 

At  the  Triennial  held  at  Baltimore,  Md.,  September, 
1871,  the  Grand  Commandery  of  Virginia  asked  permis- 
sion to  withdraw  its  membership  and  all  connection  with 
the  Grand  Encampment,  and  gave  the  following  singular 
reason : 

/  "Knighthood  is  in  its  infancy  in  our  country,  and 
the  Grand  Encampment  is  in  the  cradle.  And  when  she 
shall  grow  up  to  manhood  it  will  be  the  most  mighty  en- 
gine for  good  or  evil  that  will  then  exist  on  this  continent. 
And  some  ambitious  spirit,  with  will  and  wisdom  to  hold 
the  reins  and  guide  the  power,  gain  a  seat  on  the  Grand 
Master's  throne,  and  we  know  such  men  will,  by  some 
means,  gain  that  elevation,  he  will  be  able,  and  probably 
will  use  his  position  to  shake  the  stability  of  this  Repub- 
lic, should  it  then  exist,  even  to  its  center,  and  perhaps 
bury  Liberty  in  death.  When  such  are  our  views,  may  we 
not  ask  to  be  allowed  to  withdraw  from  the  Grand  En- 
campment, and  would  she  not  be  wise  to  grant  our  re- 
quest?" 

The  Grand  Encampment  courteously  but  positively 
refused  to  give  consent. 

TEMPLAR  DEGREES. 

In  American  Templary  there  are  three  degrees:  Red 
Cross,  Templar,  and  Malta.  The  first,  or  Red  Cross,  is 
not  found  in  Asylums  outside  of  the  United  States.  It 
was  ilianufactured  by  Webb. 


72  FREEMASONRY— WHEN,  WHERE,  HOW! 


The  final  degree,  or  that  of  Malta,  is  said  to  have 
sprung  from  the  Ancient  Order  of  Malta,  which  was  one 
of  the  old  military  Orders  of  Knighthood,  which  came  into 
being  during  the  Crusades.  At  various  times  in  its  his- 
tory it  has  been  known  as  Knights  Hospitallers,  Knights 
of  St.  John,  Knights  of  Rhodes,  and,  lastly,  as  Knights 
of  Malta,  the  latter  name  being  derived  from  their  last 
stronghold  on  the  Island  of  Malta.  How  the  degree  of 
Malta  became  intermingled  with  those  of  Knight  Tem- 
plar and  Red  Cross  is  a  mystery.  In  1856  the  Grand  En- 
campment decided,  by  unanimous  vote,  that  the  degree 
did  not  belong  to  or  have  any  connection  with  Templar- 
ism,  and  it  was  accordingly  stricken  from  the  constitu- 
tion. However,  this  act  was  repealed  by  the  same  body 
in  1862,  and  Knight  of  Malta  now  seems  to  be  permanently 
set  in  the  American  system. 

There  are  1,375  Commanderies  and  225,000  Knights 
Templar  in  the  United  States. 


MASONRY  IN  THE  STATES. 


The  beginning  of  Masonry  in  the  several  States,  and 
the  organization  of  the  Grand  Lodges,  according  to  the 
most  reliable  information,  was  in  the  following  chronolog- 
ical order: 

PENNSYLVANIA. 

As  already  stated,  St.  John's  Lodge,  Philadelphia,  was 
the  first  regularly  organized  Lodge  in  the  American  Col- 
onies. The  Grand  Master  of  Pennsylvania,  in  his  address 
to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  1908,  claims  that  proof  was  recently 
discovered  of  the  existence  of  this  Lodge  in  1727.  But 
this  does  not  contradict  the  historical  statement  of  its  legal 
establishment  in  1730.  Benjamin  Franklin  was  initiated 
into  this  Lodge,  February  1,  1730.  The  Grand  Master 
of  Pennsylvania  claims  that  the  Grand  Lodge  of  that  State 
was  organized  in  1731.    He  says: 

"In  1731  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Masons  in  Pennsyl- 
vania was  a  sovereign  organization,  and  was  the  third  old- 
est in  the  Fraternity,  the  order  of  establishment  being, 
first,  the  Grand  Lodge  of  England,  constituted  in  1717; 
second,  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Ireland,  constituted  in  1729, 
and  third,  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Pennsylvania,  constituted  in 
1731.  These  facts  have  been  established  beyond  all  matter 
of  controversy  by  Brother  W.  J.  Chetwode  Crawley,  Grand 
Treasurer  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Ireland,  than  whom 
there  is  no  higher  Masonic  authority." 

On  June  24,  1734,  Benjamin  Franklin  was  elected 
Grand  Master.  Franklin  was  a  printer,  and  published 
what  is  now  known  as  the  "Saturday  Evening  Post." 
During  the  year  1734  he  reprinted  "Anderson's  Consti- 
tutions of  1723,"  which  was  the  first  Masonic  book  ever 
printed  in  America.  This  writer  has  a  facsimile  of  that 
book.  It  is  quite  interesting  and  a  little  difficult  to  read, 
owing  to  the  peculiar  style  of  type  used  in  those  days 
by  the  printers.    One  of  the  charges  in  this  old  book  is 


74  FREEMASONEY— WHEN,  WHERE,  HOW? 


worthy  of  consideration  at  the  present  day.  Under  the 
head  of  Behavior,  it  says :  '  *  You  are  to  act  as  becomes  a 
moral  and  wise  man;  particularly  not  to  let  your  family, 
friends  and  neighbors  know  the  concerns  of  the  Lodge. 
You  must  also  consult  your  health,  by  not  continuing  to- 
gether too  late,  or  too  long  from  home  after  Lodge  hours 
are  past;  and  by  avoiding  of  gluttony  or  drunkenness, 
that  your  family  be  not  neglected  or  injured,  nor  you  dis- 
abled for  work." 

The  Grand  Master  of  Pennsylvania  further  says :  ' '  On 
September  23,  1743,  Brother  the  Right  Honorable  John 
Ward,  Grand  Master  of  England,  nominated  Thomas  Ox- 
nard,  Esq.,  of  Boston,  Mass.,  Provincial  Grand  Master  of 
all  North  America,  who,  on  the  10th  of  July,  1749,  ap- 
pointed Brother  Benjamin^  Franklin,  Provincial  Grand 
Master  of  Pennsylvania,  with  authority  to  appoint  other 
Grand  Officers,  hold  a  Grand  Lodge,  issue  warrants,  etc. 
The  first  Grand  Lodge  under  this  warrant  was  held  Sep- 
tember 5,  1749,  at  the  house  of  Brother  Henry  Pratt,  6  The 
Royal  Standard/  on  Market  Street,  near  Second. 

4  4  The  regularity  of  this  appointment  was  seriously 
questioned,  and  at  the  Communication  of  the  Pennsylvania 
Independent  Grand  Lodge,  held  March  13,  1750,  William 
Allen,  Esquire,  then  the  Recorder  of  the  city  of  Philadel- 
phia, presented  to  the  Grand  Lodge  a  commission  direct 
from  the  Grand  Master  of  all  England,  appointing  him 
Provincial  Grand  Master  of  Pennsylvania,  which  was  rec- 
ognized as  valid,  and  Grand  Master  Allen  then  appointed 
Brother  Benjamin  Franklin,  Deputy  Grand  Master,  which 
position-  he  retained  until  after  his  departure  to  England, 
in  1757,  as  the  agent  of  the  Assembly  to  present  a  petition 
to  Parliament,  and  urge  the  rights  of  the  Province.  In 
the  minutes  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  England  of  November 
17,  1760,  his  name  is  entered,  'Benjamin  Franklin,  Esq., 
P.  G.  M.  of  Philadelphia.'  By  this  proceeding,  the  orig- 
inal independent   Grand    Lodge   of   Pennsylvania  was 


MASONEY  IN  THE  STATES 


75 


merged  into  a  Provincial  Grand  Lodge,  under  the  juris- 
diction of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  England,  'Moderns.'  " 

In  1749  Franklin,  acting  as  Provincial  Grand  Master, 
granted  a  warrant  for  another  Lodge  in  Philadelphia. 
There  was  a  third  Lodge  in  Philadelphia  warranted  by  the 
Provincial  Grand  Lodge.  These  three  Lodges  celebrated 
St.  John  the  Baptist  Day,  1755,  by  a  procession  from  the 
Lodge  room  to  Christ  Church,  where  Brother  William 
Smith,  provost  of  the  University,  preached  a  sermon,  one 
hundred  and  thirty  brethren  participating  in  the  ceremo- 
nies. The  Lodge  room  from  which  the  brethren  marched 
was  erected  in  1754,  and  was  the  first  Masonic  hall  erected 
in  America. 

At  the  celebration  of  St.  John's  Day,  December  27, 
1778,  the  Grand  Lodge  and  brethren,  all  newly  clothed, 
formed  in  procession,  three  hundred  strong,  and  marched 
to  Christ  Church,  where  William  Smith,  D.  D.,  preached 
a  sermon.  In  the  procession  marched  "His  Excellency, 
our  Illustrious  Brother,  George  Washington,  Esq.,  sup- 
ported by  the  Grand  Master  and  his  Deputy."  A  collec- 
tion was  taken  and  a  committee  appointed  to  distribute  the 
same  to  objects  of  charity.  At  this  time  the  Philadelphia 
Lodges  conferred  the  Knights  Templar  degree. 

The  independence  of  the  Colonies  led  to  the  consid- 
eration of  the  propriety  of  the  Grand  Lodge  becoming  en- 
tirely independent  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  England.  At 
the  quarterly  session,  held  September  25,  1786,  it  was  re- 
solved "to  form  a  Grand  Lodge  independent  of  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  England." 

Notice  was  conveyed  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  England 
by  the  following  letter: 

"Brethren:  We  salute  you  in  all  love  and  respect. 
We  acknowledge  your  past  goodness,  and  we  pray  your 
kind  and  candid  acceptance  of  this  address  from  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  Pennsylvania. 


76 


FREEMASONRY— WHEN,  WHERE,  HOW? 


"It  having  pleased  the  Grand  Master  of  all  events 
in  human  affairs  to  dissolve  the  political  connection  which 
subsisted  between  your  country  and  ours,  and  when  we 
were  honored  writh  your  warrant,  and  to  change  the  situa- 
tion of  this  country  into  that  of  a  Sovereignty  instead  of  a 
Province,  it  has  seemed  meet  to  the  brethren  here  no 
longer  to  consider  themselves  as  a  Provincial  Lodge.  Know- 
ing, also,  that  those  who  are  not  enlightened,  being  igno- 
rant of  our  institution,  are  ever  jealous  of  improper  de- 
signs and  practices,  the  brethren  have  thought  it  a  duty 
they  owe  to  the  government  that  protects  them,  to  leave 
no  occasion  of  offense  to  them  by  our  continuing  to  ac- 
knowledge a  foreign  Jurisdiction  the  extent  of  which  they 
cannot  comprehend.  They  have  accordingly,  at  a  quar- 
terly communication  held  in  this  city,  at  which  were  pres- 
ent the  officers  of  particular  Lodges  under  their  Jurisdic- 
tion, and  Delegates  especially  appointed  and  authorized 
for  this  purpose,  resolved  as  appears  by  the  enclosed  copy 
of  their  proceedings.  We  hope  and  trust  that  this  pro- 
cedure will  meet  your  approbation,  and  that  we  shall  con- 
tinue to  receive  your  salutary  councils  and  brotherly  ad- 
vice and  communication  upon  every  occasion,  which  may 
occur  to  you  as  requiring  it,  and,  on  our  part,  we  shall 
look  up  to  you  as  venerable  Masters  and  Instructors  in 
the  Royal  Art  whenever  we  find  ourselves  lacking  knowl- 
edge. 

"We  shall  wish  never  to  forget  that  in  love  and  har- 
mony you  and  we  are  one,  and  shall  be  happy  in  every  op- 
portunity that  may  offer  of  showing  an  interchange  of 
good  offices  that  your  brethren  are  also  ours,  and  ours 
yours,  in  every  good  word  and  work.  We  are  with  all 
the  mystical  honors  in  the  name  and  behalf  of  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  Pennsylvania,  in  ample  form  assembled. 


MASONRY  IN  THE  STATES 


77 


"Your  truly  affectionate  brethren  and  very  humble 
servants, 

"Will  Adcock,  G.  M., 
"J.  B.  Smith,  D.  G.  M., 
"Jos.  Dean,  S.  G.  W., 
"Geo.  Ord,  J.  G.  W. 

"Attest:    Ashton  Humphreys,  Grand  Secretary. 

"Philadelphia,  November  10,  1788." 

The  Grand  Lodge  of  England  did  not  accept  the  rea- 
sons of  the  American  brethren  for  forming  an  independ- 
ent Grand  Lodge.  In  their  answer,  among  other  things, 
the  Grand  Secretary  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  England  said : 

"I  am  directed  by  the  Grand  Master  and  the  Grand 
Officers  to  express  their  surprise  and  concern  at  such  a 
step  taken  without  any  previous  intimation.  Their  con- 
cern, you  must  be  convinced,  does  not  arise  from  any  pecu- 
niary loss  which  the  Grand  Lodge  can  sustain  by  the  sepa- 
ration of  the  brethren  of  Pennsylvania,  but  from  the  injury 
done  to  the  society  at  large  by  detached  parts  of  it  assum- 
ing the  rank  and  jurisdiction  of  a  Grand  Lodge,  instead 
of  uniting  to  form  one  great,  extensive  and  respectable 
body,  concentrated  under  one  common  head  for  their  gen- 
eral welfare,  and  which  head  can  surely  be  nowhere  more 
properly  placed  than  in  the  Grand  Lodge,  from  whence 
they  all  derive,  and  which  at  no  period  was  in  a  more  pros- 
perous and  honorable  situation  than  at  present,  when  it  is 
patronized  and  encouraged  by  the  most  illustrious  char- 
acters in  this  century. 

6  i  The  ostensible  reason  given  for  your  separation  being 
that  the  political  connection  between  your  country  and 
ours  being  dissolved  cannot,  of  itself,  be  considered  as  suffi- 
cient to  warrant  your  proceedings. 

"Masonry  being  an  universal  and  beautiful  system  of 
philanthropy,  unconnected  with  the  politics  of  States 
or  modes  of  religion,  with  which  the  maxims  of  the  Craft 
wisely  forbid  us  to  meddle,  lest  dissensions  might  ensue. 


78  FREEMASONRY- WHEN,  WHERE,  HOW? 


That  it  is  viewed  in  this  light  by  our  foreign  brethren  is 
evident  from  many  Kingdoms  and  sovereign  States  of 
Europe  continuing  to  hold  as  Provincial  Grand  Lodges  and 
considering  their  parent  as  the  center  of  union. 

UI  am  directed  to  assure  you  that  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
England,  ever  ready  to  promote  the  extension  and  univer- 
sality of  the  Order,  will  continue  to  acknowledge  and  receive 
in  its  Lodge  the  brethren  initiated  in  the  Lodges  of 
America. 

6 'With  fraternal  regard  and  respect,  I  have  the  honor 
to  be." 

On  September  26,  1786,  the  day  following  the  sending 
of  the  letter  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  England,  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  Pennsylvania  transformed  itself  into  a  conven- 
tion, in  which  thirteen  Lodges  were  represented,  and  with 
the  concurrence  of  other  Lodges  signified  by  letter,  it  was 
unanimously  "Resolved,  That  the  Lodges  under  the  Juris- 
diction of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Pennsylvania,  lately  held 
under  the  authority  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  England,  will, 
and  do  now,  form  themselves  into  a  Grand  Lodge  to  be 
called  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Pennsylvania,  and  Masonic 
Jurisdiction  thereunto  belonging,  to  be  held  in  Phila- 
delphia." 

This  was  the  first  Grand  Lodge  in  America  taking 
such  action.  It  was  the  most  important  step,  perhaps,  ever 
taken  by  a  Grand  Lodge,  as  it  was  a  declaration  of  sover- 
eignty and  complete  independence.  It  was  to  have  entire 
and  exclusive  jurisdiction  within  the  territorial  boundary  of 
the  State.  It  alone  could  establish  Lodges,  regulate  and 
dissolve  them.  In  rapid  succession  other  Grand  Lodges 
followed,  with  the  same  jurisdictional  regulations,  v  and  at 
the  present  time  no  Grand  Lodge  will  dare  attempt  to 
establish  a  Lodge  within  the  jurisdiction  of  another  State 
or  otherwise  interfere  with  the  Masonic  affairs  in  the  terri- 
tory of  another  Grand  Lodge. 

In  1815  the  officers  of  the  Grand  Lodge  were  appointed 
as  a  committee  to  open  a  Sunday  school  in  the  Masonic 


MASONRY  IN  THE  STATES 


79 


Hall,  for  the  teaching  of  the  holy  Scriptures  to  adults.  It 
is  claimed  that  this  was  the  first  Sunday  school  in  the  city 
which  invited  the  attendance  of  adults. 

The  anti-Masonic  persecution  raged  fiercely  in  Penn- 
sylvania. The  Grand  Master  and  other  officers  were  taken 
from  their  homes,  even  from  their  beds,  and  carried  before 
an  inquisitorial  committee  of  the  Legislature  and  harshly 
treated.  The  membership  and  number  of  Lodges  ,were 
greatly  diminished,  but  when  the  storm  passed  Masonry 
had  been  purged  of  its  weak  members  and  more  firmly 
established. 

Up  to  December,  1843,  all  business  in  the  Lodges  in 
Pennsylvania  was  transacted  in  the  first  degree.  At  that 
time  it  was  ordered  that  all  business  of  the  Lodge,  and  the 
opening  and  closing,  must  be  in  the  Master's  degree.  In 
some  of  the  Lodges,  where  the  officers  had  taken  the  higher 
degrees,  the  Royal  Arch  degree  was  conferred.  The  degree 
work  in  Pennsylvania  is  said  to  have  changed  less  than 
anywhere  else,  and  is  very  interesting  to  visitors. 

Masonry  is  very  popular  and  prosperous  in  Pennsyl- 
vania at  this  time,  having  a  membership  of  one  hundred 
and  six  thousand,  which  is  the  largest  in  the  world,  except 
England,  New  York,  and  Illinois. 

The  Masonic  Temple  at  Philadelphia  is  the  largest 
and  finest  Masonic  building  in  the  world  devoted  exclu- 
sively to  Freemasonry.  One  of  its  halls,  the  Egyptian  Hall, 
is  said  to  be  the  finest  specimen  of  Egyptian  decoration 
outside  of  Egypt. 

MASSACHUSETTS. 

There  has  been  much  discussion  as  to  the  exact  date 
of  the  establishment  of  the  first  Lodge  in  Massachusetts. 
However,  it  has  now  become  generally  accepted  that  the 
first  Lodge  regularly  established  was  St.  John's,  at  Boston, 
July  30,  1733. 

Henry  Price,  on  April  30,  1733,  was  appointed  Pro- 
vincial Grand  Master  of  North  America.    He  lived  in 


80  FEEEMASONEY— WHENj  WHEEE,  HOW? 


Boston.  On  July  30,  1733,  he  organized  the  St.  John  Grand 
Lodge  of  Massachusetts.  He  acted  upon  the  theory  that 
there  should  be  a  Grand  Lodge  before  there  could  be  any 
Subordinate  Lodges.  This  St.  John's  Grand  Lodge,  imme- 
diately upon  its  organization,  granted  a  warrant  to  St. 
John's  Lodge  in  Boston. 

Royal  Exchange  Lodge  followed  in  1735,  in  Boston; 
St.  John's  Lodge  No.  2,  in  1749,  in  Boston;  Boston  Lodge 
in  1771,  and  African  Lodge  in  Boston,  in  1784.  (Of 
African  Lodge  I  will  speak  again  under  the  head  of  ' ' Negro 
Lodges.") 

In  1752  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Scotland  granted  a  war- 
rant to  St.  Andrew's  Lodge.  This  created  a  dissension 
between  the  Ancients  and  Moderns. 

On  December  27,  1769,  St.  Andrew's  Lodge,  assisted 
by  three  traveling  Lodges  in  the  British  army,  organized 
another  Grand  Lodge  of  Massachusetts  and  elected  Joseph 
Warren,  Grand  Master. 

This  made  two  Grand  Lodges  for  Massachusetts,  one 
under  the  authority  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  England,  and 
the  other  under  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Scotland. 

On  April  8,  1776,  this  later  Grand  Lodge  was  con- 
vened for  the  sad  duty  of  attending  the  funeral  of  its 
Grand  Master,  Warren,  who  had  become  a  general  in  the 
American  army,  and  was  killed  at  Bunker  Hill. 

On  March  5,  1792,  the  two  Grand  Lodges  united  under 
the  name  of  ' 'The  Grand  Lodge  of  the  Most  Ancient  and 
Honorable  Society  of  Fi*ee  and  Accepted  Masons  for  the 
Commonwealth  of  Massachusetts." 

On  June  27,  1835,  the  Grand  Lodge  laid  the  corner- 
stone of  Bunker  Hill  monument.  General  Lafayette,  who 
was  a  Mason,  was  present  and  assisted  in  the  ceremonies. 
The  monument  was  dedicated  with  Masonic  ceremonies  in 
1845. 

The  Legislature  of  Massachusetts,  in  1831,  led  by  the 
anti-Masons  and  encouraged  by  the  prejudice  which  had 
been  aroused  against  the  Order,  notified  the  Grand  Lodge 


MASONRY  IN  THE  STATES 


81 


to  appear  and  show  cause  why  the  act  of  incorporation 
should  not  be  repealed.  The  Grand  Lodge,  on  December 
27,  1833,  placed  all  of  its  papers  in  the  hands  of  trustees, 
and  then  in  a  formal,  legal  manner,  surrendered  its  incor- 
poration to  the  Legislature.  This  shows  the  high  state 
of  excitement  and  the  deep  prejudice  aroused  against  the 
Masonic  Fraternity  in  those  days. 

The  Grand  Lodge  was  again  incorporated  by  the  Leg- 
islature in  1850. 

The  anti-Masonic  feeling  was  very  bitter  in  Massachu- 
setts, and  many  of  the  smaller  Lodges  suspended.  In  the 
midst  of  the  excitement  the  Grand  Lodge  arranged  to  lay 
the  corner-stone  for  a  new  hall  for  the  Grand  Lodge.  The 
Grand  Lodge  and  brethren,  to  the  number  of  two  thousand, 
with  the  Boston  Encampment  of  Knights  Templar  at  their 
head,  marched  from  Fanueil  Hall  to  the  place  where  the 
corner-stone  was  laid.  They  were  surrounded  by  crowds 
of  fanatics,  hooting  and  yelling,  so  that  the  ceremonies 
could  scarcely  be  performed. 

Masonry  has  prospered  in  Massachusetts,  and  retains 
upon  its  rolls  some  of  its  oldest  Lodges,  including  St.  John 's 
Lodge,  established  in  1733,  and  St.  Andrew,  in  1752. 

SOUTH  CAKOLINA. 

The  first  Masonic  Lodge  in  South  Carolina  was  Sol- 
omon Lodge,  at  Charleston,  established  in  1735,  by  warrant 
from  Lord  "Weymouth,  Grand  Master  of  the  Grand  Lodge 
of  England.  It  held  its  first  meeting  October  28,  1736. 
In  that  year  the  Grand  Master  of  England  appointed  John 
Hammerton  (who  was  the  first  Master  of  Solomon's  Lodge), 
Provincial  Grand  Master  of  South  Carolina.  Acting  under 
this  authority,  Hammerton  organized  a  Provincial  Grand 
Lodge  on  December  27,  1737.  In  1754  another  Grand 
Lodge  was  established  by  Chief  Justice  Leigh,  under  reg- 
ular deputation.  The  first  Grand  Lodge  seems  not  to 
have  lived  long. 


82 


FREEMASONRY— WHEN,  WHERE,  HOW? 


In  1777  the  Grand  Lodge  established  by  Leigh  as- 
sumed independence  and  became  the  ' '  Grand  Lodge  of  Free 
and  Accepted  Masons/ ' 

In  1787  five  Lodges,  which  had  been  established  in 
South  Carolina  by  the  other  branch  of  English  Masons, 
organized  another  Grand  Lodge,  which  they  named  "The 
Grand  Lodge  of  Ancient  York  Masons." 

In  1817  a  union  of  the  two  Grand  Lodges  was  effected, 
under  the  name,  "Grand  Lodge  of  Ancient  Freemasons. ' ' 
Solomon  Lodge  is  still  in  existence,  though  it  suspended 
work  several  times.  Orange  Lodge,  at  Charleston,  was 
established  a  little  later  than  Solomon  Lodge,  but  it  has 
never  suspended  from  the  day  of  its  organization  to  the 
present. 

The  Masonic  excitement  did  not  seriously  affect  South 
Carolina. 

GEORGIA. 

The  earliest  record  we  have  of  Masonry  in  Georgia  is 
in  1735,  when  Solomon 's  Lodge  was  established  at  Sa- 
vannah. Unity  Lodge  was  established  at  Savannah  in  1774, 
and  Grenadiers  Lodge  at  Savannah  in  1775. 

In  1784  a  Lodge  was  established  at  Savannah  by  the 
Grand  Lodge*  of  Pennsylvania. 

On  December  16,  1789,  the  Grand  Lodge  was  organ- 
ized under  the  name,  "The  Grand  Lodge  of  Most  Ancient 
and  Honorable  Fraternity  of  Free  and  Accepted  Masons, 
according  to  the  Old  Institution,  of  the  State  of  Georgia/ 7 

NEW  HAMPSHIRE. 

By  the  establishment  of  St.  John's  Lodge,  at  Ports- 
mouth, in  June,  1737,  Masonry  began  its  organized  life  in 
New  Hampshire.  This  Lodge  is  still  alive  and  prosper- 
ing. For  forty-five  years  it  was  the  only  Masonic  Lodge 
in  New  Hampshire. 


MASONRY  IN  THE  STATES 


83 


The  Grand  Lodge  was  organized  July  8,  1789.  John 
Sullivan,  President  of  the  State,  was  elected  the  first  Grand 
Master. 

In  1808,  the  Grand  Master,  in  his  address,  used  this 
singular  language:  "The  harmony  of  this  Grand  Lodge 
is  in  danger  of  being  disturbed  by  the  introduction  of 
Royal  Arch  Masonry,  or  fanciful  degrees,  assuming  power 
independent  of  the  Grand  Lodge.  Some,  attracted  by  the 
pomp  and  show  of  these  fanciful  degrees,  have  joined  them, 
to  the  prejudice  and  neglect  of  the  true  Masons,  but  of  all 
the  Masonic  titles,  there  is  none  so  truly  ridiculous  as  that 
of  Knights  Templar,  a  compound  of  enthusiasm  and  folly, 
generated  in  the  brains  of  pilgrims  and  military  mad  men." 

During  the  anti-Masonic  excitement  more  than  three- 
fourths  of  the  Lodges  surrendered. 

VIRGINIA. 

In  1741  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Scotland  issued  a  warrant 
for  St.  John 's  Lodge  at  Norfolk. 

In  1758  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Massachusetts  granted  a 
warrant  for  a  Lodge  at  Fredericksburg.  The  Lodge  had 
been  at  work,  however,  since  1752.  This  is  the  Lodge  in 
which  Washington  was  made  a  Mason. 

Other  Lodges  were  established  by  both  branches  of  the 
Order  in  England.  On  October  13,  1778,  a  convention  of 
delegates  from  five  Lodges  met  at  the  city  of  Williamsburg 
and  organized  a  Grand  Lodge.  On  February  22,  1858,  the 
Grand  Lodge  dedicated  the  monument  erected  at  Richmond 
to  the  memory  of  Brother  George  Washington.  They  also 
laid  the  corner-stone  of  the  monument  erected  by  the  United 
States  government  to  commemorate  the  surrender  of  York- 
town. 


84  FREEMASONRY— WHEN,  WHERE,  HOW? 


RHODE  ISLAND. 

Masonry  was  established  in  Rhode  Island  by  the  organ- 
ization of  a  Lodge  at  Newport  December  24,  1749,  by  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  Massachusetts. 

In  1759  complaint  was  made  that  this  Lodge  was  con- 
ferring the  Master's  degree.  The  Grand  Lodge  demanded 
why  they  conferred  the  Master's  degree,  as  it  was  never 
intended  that  they  should  possess  power  to  ' ' raise"  breth- 
ren to  the  third  degree,  but  were  to  only  exercise  the  au- 
thority of  a  regular  Lodge.  They  replied  that  it  was  an 
error  and  a  misunderstanding  on  their  part.  The  Grand 
Lodge  in  1759  granted  a  warrant  expressly  authorizing  the 
third  degree  to  be  conferred  in  a  separate  Masonic  Lodge. 
That  indicates  clearly  that  the  third  degree  was  conferred 
only  in  the  Grand  Lodge  and  is  an  intimation  that  they 
were  trying  to  follow  the  old  Operative  regulations. 

In  1757  a  Lodge  was  established  at  Providence.  In 
1791  these  two  Lodges  organized  a  Grand  Lodge,  which 
should  meet  annually  on  the  24th  of  June,  alternately  at 
Newport  and  Providence. 

Thomas  Smith  Webb,  author  of  the  old  Webb  Monitor, 
was  elected  Grand  Master. 

The  Legislature  of  1831  appointed  a  committee  to  in- 
vestigate Masonry.  The  Grand  Lodge  was  represented  be- 
fore the  committee,  which,  while  exonerating  the  frater- 
nity from  certain  grave  charges,  recommended  that  it  dis- 
continue. 

In  1834  the  charters  of  all  Lodges  were  repealed  and 
the  Legislature  prohibited  the  administration  of  the  so- 
called  " extra-judicial  oath." 

The  Grand  Lodge  surrendered  its  civil  charter  March 
17,  1834.   It  was  restored  in  1861. 


MASONRY  IN  THE  STATES 


85 


MARYLAND. 

On  August  12,  1750,  Thomas  Oxnard  of  Boston,  Pro- 
vincial Grand  Master  of  North  America,  granted  a  warrant 
for  a  Lodge  at  Annapolis.  Other  Lodges  were  soon  estab- 
lished by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Pennsylvania. 

A  Grand  Lodge  was  organized  June  17,  1783.  On 
September  18,  1793,  this  Grand  Lodge  and  several  of  its 
subordinates,  in  concert  with  the  Lodge  at  Alexandria,  Ya., 
laid  the  corner-stone  of  the  Capitol  at  Washington,  at  which 
Brother  George  Washington,  then  President  of  the  United 
States,  presided  and  conducted  the  ceremonies. 

On  July  4,  1815,  by  request  of  the  Legislature,  the 
Grand  Lodge  laid  the  corner-stone  of  the  Washington  mon- 
ument in  the  city  of  Baltimore,  which  was  the  first  mon- 
ument ever  erected  to  the  memory  of  our  illustrious  Brother 
Washington. 

It  is  somewhat  interesting  to  note  that  on  the  4th  of 
July,  1828,  by  request  of  the  directors  of  the  Baltimore  and 
Ohio  Railroad,  the  Grand  Lodge  laid  the  first  or  founda- 
tion stone  of  that  great  enterprise.  And  on  August  8,  1829, 
by  request  of  the  Board  of  Directors  of  the  Baltimore  and 
Susquehanna  Railroad  Company  (now  the  Northern  Cen- 
tral), laid  the  foundation  stone  of  that  work. 

CONNECTICUT. 

The  first  Masonic  Lodge  organized  in  Connecticut  was 
Hiram  Lodge,  at  New  Haven,  in  1750,  from  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  Massachusetts. 

Other  Lodges  followed  and  a  Grand  Lodge  was  organ- 
ized at  New  Haven  July  8,  1789.  Twelve  Lodges  were 
represented,  all  of  which  are  still  working. 

In  1816  Jeremy  L.  Cross  was  appointed  Grand  Lec- 
turer. He  was  the  author  of  the  original  Masonic  Chart 
for  Blue  Lodges. 


86  EBEEMASONRY— WHEN,  WHERE,  HOW? 


The  growth  of  Masonry  was  very  rapid  in  this  juris- 
diction; the  first  eleven  years  it  increased  to  forty-four 
Lodges,  with  3,000  members. 

The  fraternity,  during  the  anti-Masonic  crusade,  was 
so  demoralized  that  at  the  annual  session  of  1831  every 
officer  of  the  Grand  Lodge  except  the  Grand  Treasurer  de- 
clined to  serve.  Others  were  elected,  but  at  the  next  ses- 
sion the  Grand  Master  and  Grand  Treasurer  only  were 
present. 

NORTH  CAROLINA. 

In  March,  1754,  St.  John's  Lodge  was  established  at 
Wilmington  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  England.  In  August, 
1767,  Royal  White  Hftrt  Lodge  was  established  at  Halifax. 
In  1771  a  Grand  Lodge  was  organized  in  North  Carolina, 
but  during  the  Revolutionary  War  it  suspended  and  did 
not  resume  work. 

On  December  16,  1787,  a  convention  of  Lodges  was 
held  at  Tarborough  and  organized  a  Grand  Lodge.  St. 
John's  Lodge  and  Royal  White  Hart  Lodge  are  still  in 
existence,  and  bear  numbers  one  and  two  on  the  roll  of  the 
Lodges  of  North  Carolina. 

NEW  JERSEY. 

The  first  warrant  known  to  have  been  issued  to  a  Lodge 
in  New  Jersey  was  granted  by  Provincial  Grand  Master 
George  Harrison  of  New  York  on  May  13,  17 61,  for  a  Lodge 
at  New  Arc.  This  Lodge  was  St.  John's  Lodge  No.  1.  It 
is  still  active.  Other  Lodges  followed  and  on  December 
18,  1786,  the  Grand  Lodge  of  New  Jersey  was  organized 
at  New  Brunswick.  Hon.  David  Brearley,  Chief  Justice 
of  the  State,  was  elected  Grand  Master. 

The  anti-Masonic  crusade  reduced  the  number  of 
Lodges  in  New  Jersey  to  only  five  or  six. 


MASONEY  IN  THE  STATES 


87 


DELAWARE. 

The  Grand  Lodge  of  Pennsylvania  granted  a  warrant 
to  a  Lodge  at  Campbell's  Bridge  on  June  24,  1765.  This 
warrant  was  surrendered,  but  renewed  March  5,  1798. 

Nine  brethren  representing  four  Lodges  met  at  the 
town  hall  in  Wilmington  and  resolved  to  form  a  Grand 
Lodge,  which  they  did  on  June  7,  1806. 

FLORIDA. 

In  1768  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Scotland  established  a 
Lodge  at  St.  Augustine,  of  which  James  Grant,  the  Pro- 
vincial Governor  of  Florida,  was  Master.  This  Lodge 
seems  not  to  have  lived  long. 

Other  Lodges  were  established  in  1776,  1777  and  1778f 
but  these  all  had  short  lives. 

The  oldest  permanent  Lodge  seems  to  have  been  Jack- 
son Lodge,  established  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Tennessee 
in  1826  at  Tallahassee. 

The  next  was  Washington  Lodge  at  Quincy,  estab- 
lished in  1828  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Georgia.  In  1829, 
Harmony  Lodge  was  established  at  Mariana  by  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  Georgia. 

On  July  5,  1830,  these  three  Lodges  organized  the 
Grand  Lodge  for  the  Territory  of  Florida.  This  was  the 
first  territorial  Grand  Lodge  organized  in  America. 

It  is  noteworthy  that  the  three  original  Lodges  which 
formed  the  Grand  Lodge  are  still  in  existence. 

OHIO. 

On  February  15,  1776,  St.  John's  Grand  Lodge  of 
Massachusetts  issued  a  charter  to  Captain  Joal  Clark  and 
Lieutenant  Jonathen  Heart  and  other  officers  of  the  army 
for  an  army  Lodge,  to  be  known  as  American  Union.  Dur- 
ing seven  years  of  the  war  this  Lodge  followed  the  army 


88  FREEMASONRY- WHEN,  WHERE,  HOW! 


and  held  meetings  wherever  it  might  be  encamped  and 
made  Masons  of  many  prominent  army  officers.  At  the 
close  of  the  war  the  Lodge  was  closed  to  stand  closed  until 
the  Master  should  call  it  together. 

On  June  28,  1790,  Brother  Heart  and  a  few  remaining 
members  opened  American  Union  Lodge,  when  he  was 
elected  Master,  Colonel  Benjamin  Topper  and  General 
Rufus  Putnam,  Wardens. 

In  September,  1791,  the  Grand  Lodge  of  New  Jersey 
issued  a  warrant  to  Governor  Arthur  St.  Clair  and  General 
Josiah  Hannar  to  hold  a  Lodge  at  the  village  of  Cincinnati, 
The  disastrous  campaigns  with  the  Indians  prevented  the 
opening  of  the  Lodge  and  it  was  not  organized  until  De- 
cember 27,  1794. 

In  1803  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Connecticut  granted 
warrants  for  Erie  Lodge  at  Warren  and  New  England 
Lodge  at  Worthington.  On  July  24,  1805,  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  Pennsylvania  granted  warrant  for  Amity  Lodge 
to  be  held  at  Zanesville,  of  which  Brother  Louis  Cass,  who 
afterward  became  distinguished  as  a  soldier  and  states- 
man, was  the  first  Master. 

In  1806  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Kentucky  granted  a  war- 
rant to  Cincinnati  Lodge. 

Delegates  from  six  Lodges,  above  named,  met  at  Chil- 
licothe,  January  4,  1808,  and  organized  a  Grand  Lodge. 
General  Rufus  Putnam  was  elected  the  first  Grand  Master. 

Five  of  the  six  original  Lodges  are  still  living  and 
prosperous,  to  wit:  American  Union,  which  is  No.  1  on 
the  roll  of  the  Lodges  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Ohio;  Nova 
Cesarea,  No.  2 ;  Old  Erie,  No.  3 ;  New  England,  No.  4,  and 
Amity,  No.  5. 

In  1830,  when  the  anti-Masonic  period  began,  there 
were  101  Lodges  in  Ohio.  In  1837,  when  the  lowest  point 
was  reached,  there  were  only  17  active. 


MASONEY  IN  THE  STATES 


89 


NEW  YORK. 

According  to  the  custom  of  those  days,  a  Grand  Lodge 
was  established  in  New  York  before  any  subordinate  Lodge. 

On  September  5,  1781,  the  Duke  of  Athol,  Grand  Mas- 
ter of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  England,  granted  a  warrant  for 
a  Provincial  Grand  Lodge  in  New  York  City.  During  the 
interval  between  the  granting  of  this  warrant  and  the  first 
meeting  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  December  5,  1782,  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  England  was  opened  on  American  soil  for  the 
first  and  only  time.  That  was  for  the  purpose  of  estab- 
lishing the  Grand  Lodge  of  New  York.  Eev.  William  Walter 
was  chosen  first  Grand  Master.  The  Grand  Lodge  was,  at 
that  time,  controlled  by  the  British  Army  Lodges. 

A  singular  occurrence  was  the  granting  of  a  dispen- 
sation on  December  25,  1797,  to  a  number  of  brethren  con- 
fined in  the  jail  for  debt,  permitting  them  to  congregate 
on  St.  John's  Day,  December  27,  and  celebrate  as  a  Lodge 
in  prison.  The  Grand  Master  was  Robert  R.  Livingston, 
who  was  a  prominent  statesman  and  Minister  to  the  French 
Republic. 

An  incident  in  the  history  of  this  State  is  that  Paine 
Lodge  No.  27  requested  and  received  permission  to  change 
its  name  "from  Paine  to  Hiram' '  because  it  was  the  name 
of  a  man  who  had  rendered  himself  generally  odious  by  hid 
indecent  attacks  on  Christianity. 

When  the  anti -Masonic  excitement  began  there  were 
502  Lodges  in  New  York,  of  which  430  surrendered  their 
warrants  under  the  pressure  of  the  persecution. 

Since  the  persecution  Masonry  has  greatly  prospered 
in  New  York.  It  has  now  180,000  members,  the  largest  of 
a,ny  State  in  the  Union. 


90  FEEEMASONRY— WHEN,  WHERE,  HOW? 


VERMONT. 

Freemasonry  was  established  in  Vermont  in  1781  by 
the  Grand  Lodge  of  Massachusetts  granting  a  charter  to  a 
Lodge  at  Cornish  and  another  one  soon  after  at  Manches- 
ter. 

In  October,  1794,  the  Grand  Lodge  was  organized  at 
Kutland.  In  1804  the  Grand  Lodge  voted  that  "the  chisel 
shall  not  be  given  as  a  working  tool  of  an  Entered  Appren- 
tice Mason  in  any  Lodge  under  the  jurisdiction  of  this 
Grand  Lodge."  That  indicates  the  transfer  of  the  chisel 
from  the  Blue  Lodge  to  the  Chapter. 

In  1805  it  was  voted  that  in  the  future  the  voting  in 
the  Lodges  should  be  done  by  Master  Masons,  which  indi- 
cates the  change  of  business  from  the  Entered  Appren- 
tice to  the  Master  Lodge. 

In  1824  the  Grand  Lodge  expressed  sympathy  for  and 
donated  monkey  to  a  brother  who  was  an  elder  in  a  Chris- 
tian church,  who  had  been  "excluded  from  his  desk"  in 
the  church,  and  his  "temporal  support"  withdrawn,  be- 
cause he  had  become  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity. 

On  October  9,  1827,  a  communication  from  John  L. 
Hart  of  Philadelphia,  addressed  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
Vermont,  asking  if  a  charter  for  a  Lodge  of  colored  Masons, 
to  be  located  in  Philadelphia,  would  be  granted,  was  an- 
swered in  the  negative  by  the  Vermont  Grand  Lodge. 

The  anti-Masonic  war  raged  more  violently  in  Vermont 
than  in/  any  other  State.  It  began  there  as  early  as  1824 
and  continued  with  bitter  fury  for  years.  Lodges  sur- 
rendered their  charters,  members  deserted  the  fraternity  as 
a  demoralized  army  flees  before  the  enemy.  It  was  even 
proposed  in  the  Grand  Lodge  to  dissolve  the  institution. 
The  proposition  was  rejected,  but  it  did  practically  dis- 
solve. In  1834  only  seven*  Lodges  were  represented  in 
the  Grand  Lodge,  and  later  none.  The  Legislature  of  the 
State  made  it  illegal  for  the  Lodges  to  administer  what  it 


MASONRY  IN  THE  STATES 


91 


called!  " extra- judicial  oaths,"  The  Grand  Lodge,  in  re- 
sponse to  the  Legislature,  said:  ' ' We  disclaim  the  right  of 
Masons  to  inflict  corporal  punishment,  and  acknowledge 
no  other  right  to  enforce  obedience  f  romj  our  members  but 
reprimand,  suspension,  and  expulsion." 

In  1880  Vermont  furnished  a  candidate  for  President, 
on  an  anti-Masonic  platform.  He  received  only  a  few 
votes. 

KENTUCKY. 

Kentucky  is  old  Masonic  territory.  While  yet  a  part 
of  Virginia,  the  Masons  at  Lexington  procured  from  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  Virginia  a  warrant  on  November  17,  1788, 
for  Lexington  Lodge.  This  is  perhaps,  the  first  Lodge  or- 
ganized west  of  the  Allegheny  Mountains.  Other  Lodges 
were  organized  under  the  same  authority,  as  follows :  Paris 
Lodge  at  Paris,  November  25,  1791;  Georgetown  at  George- 
town, November  29,  1796,  and  Frankford  Hiram  at  Frank- 
ford,  December  11,  1799. 

Early  in  1800  a  dispensation  was  issued  for  Abraham 
Lodge,  afterward  called  Solomon  Lodge,  at  Shelbyville. 

On  September  8,  1800,  delegates  from  five  Lodges  as- 
sembled at  Lexington  and  formed  the  Grand  Lodge.  In 
1818  the  Grand  Master,  William  H.  Richardson,  fought  a 
duel  with  a  member  of  a  Lodge.  It  brought  up  a  ques- 
tion that  seldom  ever  disturbs  a  Grand  Lodge,  that  is,  as 
to  the  jurisdiction  of  a  Grand  Lodge  to  try  the  Grand  Mas- 
ter during  his  term  of  office.  The  Grand  Lodge  of  Ken- 
tucky promptly  met  the  issue  and  voted  that  the  Grand 
Lodge  has  jurisdiction  to  inquire  into  the  charges,  etc. 
Henry  Clay,  who  was,  in  Masonry  as  well  as  in  politics, 
a  conciliator,  moved  to  have  a  committee  "to  produce 
a  reconciliation."  This  committee  recommended  suspen- 
sion for  one  year  in  lieu  of  a  resolution  of  expulsion 
which  had  been  referred,  and  the  case  was  so  settled. 

Of  the  original  Lodges  the  following  are  still  working, 
to  wit :   Lexington  No.  1,  with  343  members ;  Paris  No.  2, 


92  FKEEMASONKY— WHEN,  WHERE,  HOW? 


with  204  members;  Hiram  No.  4,  with  172  members,  and 
Solomon  No.  5,  with  154  members. 

DISTRICT  OF  COLUMBIA. 

What  is  known  as  the  District  of  Columbia  in  1789 
embraced  territory  ceded  by  the  States  of  Maryland  and 
Virginia.  The  first  Lodge  of  Freemasons  in  this  territory 
was  established  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Pennsylvania  at 
Alexandria  in  1782.  Other  Lodges  were  organized  by  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  Maryland.  The  Grand  Lodge  was  organ- 
ized February  19,  1811.  This  Grand  Lodge  laid  the  cor- 
ner-stone of  the  new  Capitol  at  Washington  City  on  July 
4,  1851. 

LOUISIANA. 

On  April  28,  1793,  French  refugees  from  the  West 
India  Island,  who  had  sought  safety  in  New  Orleans,  met 
in  that  city  and  organized  a  Lodge  under  a  patent  from 
France.  Under  this  patent  they  were  allowed  to  confer 
the  Eose  Croix  of  the  French  Rite.  They  also  received 
from  the  Grand  Lodge  of  South  Carolina  a  warrant  under 
which  they  opened  March  30,  1794,  "Parfait  Union' ' 
Lodge. 

Under  these  two  warrants  the  Lodge  could  confer  the 
York  and  some  of  the  French  Rite  degrees.  This  Lodge 
is  still  at  work  under  the  name  of  "Perfect  Union  No.  1" 
and  is  one  of  the  most  prosperous  York  Rite  Lodges  in 
Louisiana. 

In  1794  other  brethren  of  the  French  Rite  secured 
from  France  a  charter  for  a  Lodge  which  was  organized 
and  officers  elected  December  27,  1796,  under  the  name  of 
"Polar  Star."  This  Lodge  also  had  a  Rose  Croix  attach- 
ment. Polar  Star  Lodge  has  maintained  its  existence  to 
the  present.  Its  work  is  anomalous  in  the  fact  that  it 
works  the  symbolic  degrees  in  the  Scottish  Rite.  It  is  in 
perfect  harmony  and  in  love  with  the  York  Grand  Body. 
In  fact,  in  1811,  on  the  petition  of  some  of  the  York  Rite 


MASONEY  IN  THE  STATES 


93 


members,  it  secured  from  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Pennsylvania 
a  charter  authorizing  it  to  conduct  its  labors  in  the  York 
Rite.  It  did  not,  however,  discontinue  working  in  the 
French  Rite. 

This  was  the  beginning  of  the  cumulation  of  Rites, 
which  has  caused  so  much  confusion  and  criticism  for  the 
Lodges  in  New  Orleans.  To  the  Masons  of  the  present 
day,  the  cumulation  of  Rites  is  unknown  and  it  is  unfor- 
tunate that  it  was  ever  known  in  Louisiana.  Under  the 
custom  of  cumulation  of  Rites  any  Lodge  might  work  in 
all  of  three  Rites,  the  French,  the  York,  and  the  Scottish, 
and  might  have  three  Masters,  one  for  each  Rite.  Con- 
flicts of  authority  naturally  arose  in  a  Lodge  having  three 
Masters  and  doing  work  in  three  Rites. 

Perseverance  Lodge  also,  though  on  the  roll  of  the 
York  Rite  Grand  Lodge,  works  in  the  Scottish  Rite.  Both 
Perfect  Union  and  Polar  Star  are  on  the  roll  of  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  Louisiana  as  No.  1. 

The  Grand  Lodge  of  Pennsylvania  granted  warrants 
for  Lodges  in  Louisiana  as  follows :  On  May  18,  1801,  for 
a  Lodge  named  "La  Candeur,"  and  on  the  same  day  for 
a  Lodge  to  be  named  "La  Charite."  On  July  17,  1806,  for 
a  Lodge  to  be  called  "Louisiana  Lodge."  On  September 
15,  1808,  to  a  Lodge  to  be  called  "Desired  Reunion.' 9  On 
October  27,  1810,  to  a  Lodge  to  be  called  "La  Concorde," 
and  on  the  same  date  to  a  Lodge  to  be  called  "Persever- 
ance." On  November  19,  1810,  for  a  Lodge  to  be  called 
"Harmony."  (This  was  the  only  Lodge  that  kept  its  min- 
utes in  English.)  June  3, 1811,  to  a  Lodge  called  "L'  Etoile 
Polaire. ' '  These  were  all  in  New  Orleans.  These  Lodges  all 
had  Royal  Arch  Chapters  attached  to  them. 

It  will  be  noticed  that  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Pennsyl- 
vania granted  a  warrant  for  "L'Etoile  Polaire,"  which 
means  Polar  Star.  This  made  two  Polar  Star  Lodges.  In 
October,  1811,  an  agreement  was  made  between  the  French 
Polar  Star  Lodge  and  the  Pennsylvania  Polar  Star  Lodge, 
whereby  the  French  Lodge  was  to  be  discontinued  and  the 


94  FREEMASONRY— WHEN,  WHERE,  HOW? 


work  done  under  Polar  Star  Lodge  No.  129  under  the 
jurisdiction  of  Pennsylvania. 

Of  these  Lodges  Parfait  Union,  La  Charite,  La  Con- 
corde, Perseverance  and  L  'Etoile  Polaire  met  in  convention 
at  New  Orleans  and  formed  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Louisiana. 
The  exact  date  of  the  formation  of  the  Grand  Lodge  seems 
to  be  slightly  in  doubt. 

The  Grand  Secretary  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Louisi- 
ana, Brother  Lambert,  who  is  long  experienced  and  a  care- 
ful officer,  states  on  page  276  of  the  Proceedings  of  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  1913  that  the  Grand  Lodge  was  organized 
June  12,  1812. 

Past  Grand  Master  John  S.  Thibaut,  in  an  address  be- 
fore the  Grand  Lodge  at  its  Centennial  celebration  in  1912, 
stated  that  the  delegates  met  June  13  and  adjourned  to 
June  20,  when  the  Grand  Officers  were  elected. 

In  the  first  charter  issued  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
Louisiana,  which  was  to  Perfect  Union  No.  1,  this  language 
is  used:  "The  Grand  Lodge  of  Louisiana,  Ancient  York 
Masons,  established  at  New  Orleans,  in  the  State  of  Lou- 
isiana, the  20th  day  of  June,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  1812, 
and  of  Masonry  5812." 

This  would  seem  to  fix  the  date  of  the  formation  of 
the  Grand  Lodge  at  June  20,  1812. 

The  first  grand  officers  chosen  were  as  follows :  P.  F. 
DeBourg,  W.  M.  of  Perfect  Union  Lodge  No.  29,  Grand 
Master;  Hon.  L.  C.  E.  Moreau  Lislet,  P.  M.,  Polar  Star 
Lodge  No.  129,  Deputy  Grand  Master;  Jean  Blanque,  W. 
M.  of  Charity  Lodge  No.  93,  Senior  Grand  Warden ;  Fran- 
cois Pernot,  "W.  M.  of  Concord  Lodge  No.  117,  Junior 
Grand  Warden ;  J.  B.  Pinta,  W.  M.  of  Perseverance  Lodge 
No.  118,  Grand  Treasurer;  J.  B.  Vernon,  S.  W.  of  Perse- 
verance Lodge  No.  118,  Grand  Secretary;  Mathurin  Pa- 
caud,  P.  M.  of  Polar  Star  Lodge  No.  129,  Grand  Orator; 
Yves  Lemonnier,  J.  W.  of  Charity  Lodge  No.  93,  Grand 
Pursuivant;  Augustin  Macarty,  'J.  W.  of  Perseverance 
Lodge  No.  118,  Grand  Steward. 


MASONEY  IN  THE  STATES 


95 


The  five  constituent  Lodges  all  worked  in  the  French 
language.  LaCharite  Lodge  forfeited  its  charter  in  1849 
and  La  Concorde  consolidated  with  Perfect  Union.  Per- 
severance is  still  active  and  is  No.  4  on  the  roll  of  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  Louisiana.  Its  labors  are  conducted  in  the  Scot- 
tish Eite.  Desired  Reunion  Lodge  was  annexed  to  Perse- 
verance. Louisiana  and  Harmony  Lodges  declined  to  join 
in  the  new  Grand  Lodge.  Louisiana  suspended  in  about 
two  years  after  that  and  Harmony  suspended  later. 

In  1818  complications  growing  out  of  the  numerous 
Rites  produced  discord  and  confusion  that  agitated  the 
Craft  for  many  years. 

The  Grand  Orient  of  France  granted  a  warrant  for  a 
Lodge  to  work  in  the  French  Rite  in  New  Orleans,  April 
21,  1818,  under  the  name  of  "La  Triple  Bienfaisance  No. 
7319,"  to  which  was  attached  a  Chapter  of  Rose  Croix. 
Some  of  the  members  of  Concorde  and  Perseverance  Lodges 
affiliated  with  this  Lodge,  and  their  example  was  not  with- 
out its  effect  upon  some  of  the  others. 

Members  of  the  Polar  Star  Lodge,  which  ceased  to 
work  in  1811  under  the  charter  received  from  the  Grand 
Orient,  resolved  to  reorganize  the  old  Polar  Star  Lodge  No. 
4263 ;  accordingly,  on  February  4,  1819,  officers  were  elected 
under  directions  received  from  the  Grand  Orient,  from 
which  body  a  charter  was  obtained  in  1820,  empowering 
the  Lodge  to  cumulate  the  French  and  Scotch  Rites.  All 
the  members  of  the  French  Rite  Lodge,  Polar  Star  No. 
4263,  were  members  of  the  York  Rite  Polar  Star  Lodge 
No.  5.  The  system  of  dual  membership  thus  inaugurated 
was  soon  imitated  by  others;  the  Grand  Lodge  granting  a 
charter  to  a  number  of  members  of  the  French  Lodge, 
Triple  Bienfaisance  No.  7319,  under  the  name  of  Triple 
Bienfaisance  No.  20. 

The  French  Rite  now  became  popular  in  New  Or* 
leans  and  many  life  members  of  the  Grand  Lodge  belonged 
to  it;  but  as  it  had  not  been  recognized  by  the  Grand 
Lodge,  its  Lodges  were  considered  clandestine.    To  obtain 


96  FREEMASONRY— WHEN,  WHERE,  HOW? 


recognition  it  was  necessary  to  amend  the  constitution. 
To  thus  amend,  it  was  necessary  to  submit  the  proposed 
amendment  to  all  the  Lodges;  but  as  it  was  feared  the 
country  Lodges,  who  worked  the  York  Rite,  would  not  favor 
the  amendment,  it  was  determined  by  the  city  Lodges  to 
act  without  consulting  them.  At  a  special  meeting  of  the 
Grand  Lodge  held  November  16,  1821,  resolutions  were 
adopted,  recognizing  as  regular  the  three  Rites  and  au- 
thorizing the  Lodges  to  receive  as  visitors  or  as  candidates 
for  affiliation  members  of  the  French  and  Scotch  Rites. 
At  this  time  there  was  one  Lodge  cumulating  the  French 
and  Scotch  Rites,  and  two  of  the  French  Rites  in  New  Or- 
leans, working  under  charters  from  the  Grand  Orient  of 
France,  and  at  the  same  time  holding  charters  from  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  Louisiana. 

The  life  members,  or  Past  Masters  or  Past  Grand  Of- 
ficers, who  were  members  of  the  Lodges  in  New  Orleans, 
had  obtained  complete  control  of  the  Grand  Lodge.  Al- 
most all  the  grand  officers  and  many  of  the  life  members 
belonged  to  the  French  Rite  and  were  actively  engaged  in 
advancing  its  interests. 

The  French  Rite  was,  however,  confined  to  New  Or- 
leans. In  1823  the  seven  Lodges  in  the  country  parishes, 
with  the  exception  of  La  Verite  No.  12  at  Donaldsonville 
and  L 'Humble  Chaumiere  No.  19  at  St.  Landry,  worked 
in  the  English  language  and  were  composed  chiefly  of 
Americans,  many  of  whom  had  been  initiated  in  other 
jurisdictions  in  the  United  States.  For  them  the  French 
Rite  possessed  no  attractions  and  the  Grand  Lodge,  as  long 
as  they  paid  their  dues,  exercised  little  or  no  supervision 
over  them. 

On  November  7,  1824,  the  Grand  Lodge  granted  a 
charter  for  Lafayette  Lodge  No.  25  in  New  Orleans. 
Shortly  after  this  date,  April  14,  1825,  the  distinguished 
brother  after  whom  this  Lodge  was  named  visited  New 
Orleans  and  was  received  and  welcomed  by  the  Grand 
Lodge  with  great  enthusiasm.    Among  the  large  number 


MASONRY  IN  THE  STATES 


97 


of  brethren  present  were  many  of  the  members  of  Har- 
mony Lodge,  warranted  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, which  had  never  come  under  the  jurisdiction  of  the 
Grand  Lodge,  and  had  been  for  a  long  time  in  a  dormant 
condition.  As  this  was  the  only  Lodge  that  worked  in  the 
English  language  (Louisiana  Lodge  having  ceased  in  1819), 
its  dormant  condition  left  American  Masons  without  a 
common  center  of  reunion.  To  supply  this  want,  a  num- 
ber of  its  former  members  resolved  to  apply  to  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  Louisiana  for  a  charter.  The  request  was  granted 
and  a  new  Lodge,  Harmony  No.  26,  was  constituted  March 
4,  1626.    (It  became  extinct  in  1837.) 

The  creation  of  this  Lodge  led  to  important  results. 
Being  the  only  Lodge  working  in  English  in  New  Or- 
leans, it  rapidly  increased  its  membership;  but  the  old 
prejudices  were  carried  into  the  new  Lodge,  and  on  June 
28,  1828,  a  number  of  the  members  withdrew  from  it  and 
formed  Louisiana  Lodge  No.  32  (whose  charter  was  for- 
feited in  1842).  The  prejudices  of  the  remaining  members 
of  Harmony  Lodge  now  found  vent  in  declaring  war 
against  the  French  Rite.  It  had  long  been  a  custom  of 
the  Lodges  in  New  Orleans  to  celebrate  the  anniversary  of 
the  two  Sts.  John.  Each  Lodge  appointed  a  committee  to 
visit  the  sister  Lodges,  to  whom  they  carried  letters  of 
credence  and  congratulation.  The  Lodge  room  was  usually 
arrayed  in  holiday  attire  and  decked  with  flowers  and  after 
the  Lodge  was  opened  the  deputations  were  admitted,  con- 
gratulations exchanged  and  the  feast  closed  with  a  ban- 
quet, to  which  brethren  from  other  Lodges  were  invited. 
The  anniversary  of  St.  John  the  Baptist,  June  24,  1828, 
was  selected  by  Harmony  Lodge  as  the  proper  time  to 
declare  war  on  the  French  Rite  Lodges.  Accordingly, 
when  the  deputation  from  "Triple  Bienfaisance  No.  7319" 
was  announced,  it  was  refused  admittance;  they  were  in- 
formed that  "Harmony  Lodge  No.  26  only  recognized  as 
Masons  those  who  were  members  of  the  York  Rite."  The 
Grand  Lodge  was  appealed  to  for  redress  for  the  "delib- 


98  FREEMASONRY- WHEN,  WHERE,  HOW? 


erate  insult/ '  but  that  body  did  not  deem  it  prudent  to 
press  the  complaint  against  Harmony  Lodge,  resolving  to 
await  further  developments. 

On  the  feast  of  St.  John  the  Evangelist,  the  same  year, 
deputations  from  all  three  of  the  French  Rite  Lodges  sep- 
arately applied  to  Harmony  Lodge  for  admission,  which 
wTas  refused,  each  being  informed  that  the  Lodge  only  rec- 
ognized as  Masons  those  belonging  to  the  York  Rite. 

Formal  complaint  was  made  against  Harmony  Lodge 
by  the  three  Lodges  to  the  Grand  Lodge,  which  body  post- 
poned the  consideration  of  the  subject  from  time  to  time. 
On  July  2,  1831,  resolutions  censuring  Harmony  Lodge 
were  proposed  in  the  Grand  Lodge,  but  the  Grand  Master 
refused  to  submit  them  to  the  body.  Two  weeks  after- 
ward, however,  Harmony  Lodge  receded  from  the  position 
it  had  taken,  alleging  that  its  opposition  to  the  French 
Rite  Lodges  arose  from  their  owing  allegiance  to  a  "  for- 
eign Masonic  power,"  and  promising  to  conform  to  what- 
ever the  Grand  Lodge  might  decree  in  the  matter.  At  a 
subsequent  communication  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  the  three 
French  Rite  and  the  three  Scottish  Rite  Lodges  were  rec- 
ognized as  regular,  by  which  the  reconciliation  was  con- 
summated and  fraternal  intercourse  restored. 

On  October  15,  1832,  a  new  code  of  general  regula- 
tions was  adopted  by  the  Grand  Lodge,  in  which  the  sys- 
tem of  Masonic  government  that  had  existed  since  its  for- 
mation was  subverted  and  numerous  innovations  intro- 
duced from  the  Scotch  and  French  Rites.  The  Grand 
Lodge  was  declared  to  be  the  "only  lawgiver  of  Symbolic 
Lodges' '  in  the  State,  but  the  government  of  the  Craft  was 
entrusted  to  three  symbolic  Chambers,  one  for  each  Rite, 
and  each  composed  of  fifteen  members  whose  acts  were  sub- 
ject to  the  approval  or  disapproval  of  the  Grand  Lodge. 
The  old  system  of  representation  was  retained,  but  only  life 
members  were  entitled  to  vote  and  hold  office  in  the  Grand 
Lodge ;  and  in  order  to  give  this  class  supreme  control  over 
its  deliberations,  the  authority  of  the  Grand  Master  was 


MASONEY  IN  THE  STATES 


99 


circumscribed.  The  code  was  not  only  complicated  and 
contradictory,  but  in  all  essential  particulars  conflicted 
with  the  constitution  of  1819,  which  was  not  repealed. 

This  code  of  regulations,  which  was  patterned  after 
that  of  the  Grand  Orient  of  France,  led  to  great  confusion 
and  many  irregularities.  The  Lodges  working  the  York 
Rite  denounced  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Louisiana  as  an  illegal 
organization  because  it  sanctioned  the  cumulation  of  Rites, 
but  for  a  time  they  were  powerless  to  correct  the  code. 

One  of  the  innovations  complained  of  was  that  it 
would  require  three  black  balls  to  reject  a  candidate — that 
if  only  one  black  ball  appeared  the  candidate  was  admit- 
ted; if  two,  the  ballot  was  postponed  to  the  next  meeting, 
and  unless  three  black  balls  were  then  cast  the  candidate 
was  elected. 

Another  was  that  no  one  could  be  cumulatively  Master 
of  two  Lodges ;  that  is,  when  a  Lodge  worked  in  more  than 
one  Rite,  it  was  to  be  considered  as  two  or  more  distinct 
Lodges,  each  of  which  was  to  have  its  own  Master.  In 
practice  this  resulted  in  such  Lodges  having  two  or  three 
different  Masters  at  the  same  time.  One  of  the  regulations 
was  that  the  sessions  of  the  Grand  Lodge  should  be  held 
in  the  York  Rite,  but  that  the  language  used  should  always 
be  French.  This  provision  was  changed  in  1846  so  as  to 
read,  "The  Grand  Lodge  shall  hold  its  meetings  and  work 
according  to  the  usages  of  the  York  Rite." 

Among  the  unaffiliated  Masons  in  New  Orleans  were 
several  Mississippians,  who  determined  to  seek  the  inter- 
vention of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  their  State,  in  which  after 
a  time  they  were  so  successful  that  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
Mississippi  declared,  by  resolution,  that:  "The  Grand 
Lodge  of  Louisiana,  being  composed  of  a  cumulation  of 
Rites,  cannot  be  recognized  as  a  Grand  Lodge  of  Ancient 
York  Masons.' 9 

It  therefore  expressed  its  willingness  to  grant  dispen- 
sations and  charters  to  any  legal  number  of  "Ancient 
York"  Masons  in  Louisiana,  who  would  make  application 


100  FBEEMASONRY— WHEN,  WHERE,  HOW? 


for  the  same.  This  action  becoming  known  in  New  Or- 
leans, a  number  of  Masons,  who  had  secretly  sympathized 
with  the  movement,  renounced  their  allegiance  to  the  Grand 
Lodge,  and  during  the  year  1847  seven  dispensations  for 
new  Lodges  were  issued  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Missis- 
sippi, for  New  Orleans  and  suburbs.  These  subsequently 
having  received  charters,  met  in  convention,  March  8,  1848, 
and  organized  the  "Louisiana  Grand  Lodge  of  Ancient 
York  Masons."  A  constitution  was  adopted,  officers 
elected  and  installed  and  new  charters  issued  to  the  Lodges. 

This  body  continued  in  existence  for  two  years,  dur- 
ing which  time  it  granted  charters  for  eighteen  Lodges. 
The  formation  of  this  new  Grand  Lodge  attracted  wide- 
spread attention  in  other  parts  of  the  United  States.  Grand 
Lodges  differed;  some  approved  the  course  of  Mississippi, 
and  some  disapproved.  Missouri  and  Florida  declared 
non^intercourse  with  Louisiana.  Several  Grand  Lodges, 
while  disapproving  the  course  pursued  by  Louisiana  in 
cumulating  the  different  Rites,  severely  censured  Missis- 
sippi for  usurping  jurisdiction  over  Louisiana  territory. 
New  York,  Alabama,  Georgia,  and  South  Carolina  declared 
the  Lodges  planted  in  Louisiana  by  Mississippi  to  be  irreg- 
ular. Mississippi,  however,  claimed  that  as  there  was  no 
common  umpire  in-  Masonry,  she  had  a  right  to  judge 
for  herself  and  to  do  as  she  pleased. 

In  January,  1849,  an  effort  was  begun  to  heal  the  ex- 
isting dissensions.  This  was  happily  consummated  March 
4,  1850,  by  the  adoption  and  ratification  of  "Articles  of 
Union''  by  the  contending  Grand  Lodges,  and  a  committee 
was  appointed  to  draft  a  constitution  which  was  submit- 
ted to  a  convention  of  all  the  Lodges  (fifty-six)  in  the 
State,  held  at  Baton  Rouge,  June,  1850,  and  almost  unan- 
imously adopted. 

The  constitution  thus  adopted  provided  for  the  abo- 
lition of  cumulative  Rites.  A  clause  in  the  compact  of  the 
union  of  the  two  Grand  Lodges  provided  that  when  the 
union  was  effected  the  two  bodies  should  form  "one  su- 


MASONBY  IN  THE  STATES 


101 


preme  Masonic  body  for  the  exclusive  government  of  all 
the  Masons  of  the  first  three  degrees  in  the  State  of  Lou- 
isiana, under  the  name  of  the  '  Grand  Lodge  of  the  State 
of  Louisiana,  of  Ancient,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons.'  " 

Another  clause  provided  that  "no  Lodge  shall  be  cre- 
ated by  the  united  body  under  any  other  title  than  that 
of  Ancient,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons." 

On  February  20,  1850,  the  younger  Grand  Lodge  ac- 
cepted the  articles  of  union  and  on  March  4,  1850,  the  older 
Grand  Lodge  ratified  them,  and  the  union  dated  from  the 
latter  day. 

The  following  was  adopted:  "Resolved,  That  the 
Grand  Secretary  of  this  Grand  Lodge  shall  immediately 
inform  the  Supreme  Council  of  the  Sovereign  Grand  In- 
spectors General  33d,  meeting  at  New  Orleans,  that  this 
Grand  Lodge  renounces,  now  and  forever,  to  constitute  any 
Symbolical  Lodges,  other  than  as  Ancient,  Free  and  Ac- 
cepted Masons." 

The  adoption  of  this  constitution  settled  the  main 
question  which  had  divided  the  fraternity  in  Louisiana  and 
eliminated  the  cumulative  Rites,  which  was  a  happy 
riddance. 

The  peaceful  condition  of  affairs  was  not  destined  to 
be  of  long  duration.  The  Scottish  Rite  bodies,  which  were 
introduced  into  New  Orleans  as  early  as  1813,  and  which 
tended  no  little  to  the  complication  of  affairs  in  the  juris- 
diction, contended  that  the  Grand  Lodge  had  violated  a 
"concordat"  entered  into  in  1833,  by  renouncing  jurisdic- 
tion over  all  Symbolic  Lodges,  except  those  of  the  "York 
Rite,"  resolved  to  "resume  authority  over  Symbolic  Lodges 
of  the  Scottish  Rite  under  a  Supreme  Council."  Three 
of  such  Lodges  surrendered  their  charters  to  the  Grand 
Lodge  and  passed  under  the  jurisdiction  of  the  Supreme 
Council,  in  which  body  dissensions  soon  after  arose,  which 
resulted  in  the  formation  of  an  illegal  Supreme  Council  by 
Joseph  Foulhouze,  who  in  1856  commenced  making  Masons 
at  sight,  and  succeeded  in  causing  Polar  Star  Lodge  No.  1 


102 


FREEMASONRY— WHEN,  WHERE,  HOW? 


and  St.  Andrew  Lodge  No.  5  to  withdraw  their  allegiance 
from  the  Grand  Lodge.  This  Supreme  Council  of  Foul- 
houze  was  recognized  by  the  Grand  Orient  of  France,  in 
consequence  of  which  nearly  all  the  Grand  Lodges  of  the 
world  declared  non-intercourse  with  the  Grand  Orient  of 
France.  Failing  in  the  attempt  any  longer  to  create  dis- 
sensions among  the  fraternity,  this  so-called  Supreme  Coun- 
cil, about  1870,  ceased  to  become  a  disturbing  element  of 
any  account.  ; 

At  the  conclusion  of  the  Grand  Lodge  session  of  March 
27,  1813,  the  Grand  Master  announced  that  a  Grand  Royal 
Arch  Chapter  had  been  formed  and  attached  to  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  Louisiana. 

In  1870  the  Craft  in  Louisiana  found  itself  disturbed 
by  the  levy  of  a  tax  upon  its  members  for  the  erection  of 
a  temple.  There  was  much  dissatisfaction  created  and 
quite  a  loss  of  membership.  The  disturbed  condition  con- 
tinued about  fourteen  years,  when  the  property  was  placed 
in  the  hands  of  a  Board  of  Directors  for  sale.  It  was  valued 
at  $112,500.00.  In  1890  the  property  was  sold  for  $50,000.00 
under  instructions  from  the  Grand  Lodge.  This  location 
was  near  Tivoli  Circle  (now  Lee  Circle),  between  Caron- 
delet  and  St.  Charles  streets.  Steps  were  taken  at  once 
for  the  building  of  a  new  temple,  the  corner-stone  of  which 
was  laid  March  25,  1891.  The  building  was  dedicated  June 
24,  1892,  and  the  annual  communication  of  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  1893  was  held  in  it. 

On  February  5,  1912,  this  Grand  Lodge  celebrated  its 
one  hundredth  anniversary.  It  was  held  in  February  be- 
cause that  was  the  fixed  time  for  the  annual  meeting  of 
the  Grand  Lodge.  It  is  interesting  to  note  that  the  Grand 
Master,  Brother  John  S.  Thibaut,  who  presided  at  this  cen- 
tennial celebration,  is  the  great-grandson  of  P.  F.  DeBourg, 
who  was  the  first  Grand  Master  of  the  Grand  Lodge. 

In  1913  a  proposition  was  made  in  the  Grand  Lodge  to 
remove  the  seat  of  government  of  the  Grand  Lodge  to  Alex- 
andria, but  was  defeated.    Steps  were  taken  to  enlarge 


MASONRY  IN  THE  STATES 


103 


and  improve  the  temple  so  as  to  meet  the  demands  of  the 
prosperous  growth  of  the  fraternity. 

One  of  the  very  commendable  innovations  by  Louisiana 
Masons  was  the  organization  in  1854  of  "  Louisiana  Relief 
Lodge."  The  work  of  this  Lodge  is  the  relief  of  distress 
and  suffering.  It  stands  alone  as  the  only  Lodge  in  the 
world  organized  solely  for  the  one  purpose.  It  is  the  agent 
of  twenty-two  Lodges  of  the  city  of  New  Orleans,  from 
which  it  receives  contributions  and  for  which  it  renders 
relief.  It  not  only  gives  financial  help,  but  it  renders  ser- 
vice to  the  unemployed,  protects  the  innocent,  and  exposes 
imposters  and  grafters.  In  1913  it  received  and  distrib- 
uted nearly  $8,000.00. 

Under  a  construction  of  Masonic  law,  which  differs 
perhaps  from  that  given  by  every  other  Grand  Lodge,  a 
Worshipful  Master  in  that  jurisdiction  can  resign,  and 
the  acceptance  of  the  resignation  is  in  the  discretion  of  the 
Grand  Master.  In  1908  the  Grand  Master  tendered  his 
resignation  and  following  the  construction  theretofore  de- 
clared by  the  Grand  Lodge,  the  Deputy  Grand  Master  ac- 
cepted the  resignation  of  the  Grand  Master.  The  Grand 
Lodge  approved  this  action  and  declared  a  Grand  Master, 
so  resigning,  would  not  be  allowed  the  honorary  title  of 
Past  Grand  Master. 

MICHIGAN. 

On  September  7,  1794,  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Canada  es- 
tablished Zion  Lodge  at  Detroit.  This  Lodge  had  a  hard 
time  for  several  years. 

In  1816  Brother  General  Louis  Cass,  formerly  of  Ohio, 
but  now  Governor  of  the  Territory  of  Michigan,  was  elected 
its  Master.  In  1821  this  was  the  only  Lodge  on  the  soil  of 
Michigan.  In  that  year  the  Grand  Lodge  of  New  York 
granted  a  warrant  for  Detroit  Lodge.  On  June  24,  1826, 
a  Grand  Lodge  was  organized  with  Brother  Louis  Cass  as 
Grand  Master.    This  Grand  Lodge  met  again  in  1827,  but 


104  FEEEMASONRY— WHEN,  WHERE,  HOW? 


succumbed  to  the  Masonic  persecution.  It  not  only  voted 
to  suspend  itself,  but  recommended  that  all  the  Lodges  sus- 
pend. All  the  Lodges  in  the  territory,  except  Stoney 
Creek,  complied  with  the  advice,  and  for  eleven  years 
Stoney  Creek  was  the  only  one  where  Masonic  silence  did 
not  prevail  in  Michigan. 

In  1841  another  Grand  Lodge  was  organized  and  held 
meetings  in  1842,  1843  and  1844,  when  for  some  reason  it 
ceased  to  exist.  On  January  8,  1845,  the  present  Grand 
Lodge  was  organized  at  Detroit. 

Zion,  Detroit,  Union,  and  St.  Joseph's  Valley  Lodges, 
the  first  four  in  the  State,  are  still  in  existence.  It  is  a 
pity  that  Stoney  Creek  Lodge,  the  most  faithful  of  all, 
could  not  have  lived  to  see  the  glorious  prosperity  of  Free- 
masonry in  Michigan. 

TENNESSEE. 

The  Grand  Lodge  of  North  Carolina  established 
Lodges  in  the  bounds  of  Tennessee,  which  was  formerly  a 
part  of  North  Carolina,  as  follows :  St.  Tammany  at  Nash- 
ville, December  17,  1796;  Tennessee  at  Knoxville,  Novem- 
ber 30,  1800 ;  Greenville  at  Greenville,  Decembr  11,  1801  ■ 
Newport  at  Newport,  December  5,  1805;  Overton  at  Rog- 
ersville,  November  21,  1807 ;  King  Solomon  at  Gallatin,  De- 
cember 9,  1808;  Hiram  at  Franklin,  December  11,  1809, 
and  Cumberland  at  the  town  of  Nashville,  June  24,  1812. 
Of  these  Greenville,  Overton,  Hiram,  and  Cumberland  are 
still  at  work. 

December  27,  1813,  a  convention  was  held  in  Knox- 
ville and  with  the  permission  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  North 
Carolina,  a  Grand  Lodge  for  the  State  of  Tennessee,  was 
organized.  The  organization  of  this  Grand  Lodge  seems 
to  have  been  different  from  any  other,  and  is  the  only 
independent  Grand  Lodge  which  was  organized  by  author- 
ity of  a  warrant  from  another  Grand  Lodge. 


MASONRY  IN  THE  STATES 


105 


A  warrant  from  the  Grand  Lodge  of  North  Carolina, 
dated  September  30,  1813,  authorized  the  Lodges  in  Ten- 
nessee, either  by  themselves  or  their  representatives,  to  con- 
stitute a  Grand  Lodge.  The  procedure  was  evidently  in 
the  nature  of  warrants  and  deputations  issued  by  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  England. 

In  1816  it  was  declared  "the  Supreme  Masonic  Juris- 
diction over  all  Lodges  of  Ancient  and  York  Masons  held 
in  Tennessee  is  duly  vested  in  the  Grand  Lodge,  and  that 
it  is  the  right  of  all  regular  Lodges,  so  far  as  they  have 
ability  and  number,  to  make  Masons  in  the  higher  degrees. 7 7 
Authority  was  therefore  given  for  a  Eoyal  Arch  Chapter 
to  be  held  in  Nashville,  by  the  name  of  Cumberland  Chap- 
ter, to  open  Lodges  and  work  in  the  degrees  of  Past  Mas- 
ter, Mark  Master,  Most  Excellent  Master  and  Royal  Arch, 
under  the  sanction  of  the  Grand  Lodge ;  the  Grand  Master 
to  have  authority  to  grant  dispensations  to  work  said  de- 
grees, provided  the  applicants  should  pay  the  sum  of 
$20.00  to  the  Grand  Charity  Fund. 

On  May  4,  1825,  Brother  Lafayette,  the  friend  of 
Washington,  and  his  son,  Brother  George  "Washington  La- 
fayette, visited  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Tennessee.  Brother 
Lafayette  was  introduced  by  Brother  Andrew  Jackson  and 
received  the  Grand  Honors. 

Andrew  Jackson  was  Grand  Master  of  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  Tennessee  in  1822  and  1823.  He  was  elected 
President  of  the  United  States  in  1828,  and  is  the  only  per- 
son who  ever  held  the  office  of  Grand  Master  of  Masons 
and  President  of  the  United  States. 

MISSISSIPPI. 

On  October  16,  1801,  Masonry  was  introduced  into 
Mississippi  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Kentucky  issuing  a 
warrant  for  Harmony  Lodge  No.  7  at  Natchez.  This  Lodge 
surrendered  its  charter  August  30,  1814,  but  on  August  31, 
1815,  a  dispensation  was  granted  to  several  old  members 


106 


FREEMASONRY— WHEN,  WHERE,  HOW? 


to  form  a  new  Lodge  by  the  same  name,  and  a  warrant  was 
granted  to  it  August  27,  1816. 

The  Grand  Master  of  Tennessee  had,  on  August  13, 
1813,  issued  a  dispensation  to  Jackson  Lodge  at  Natchez 
and  on  October  8,  1816,  a  warrant  was  issued  to  it,  but  gave 
it  the  name  of  Andrew  Jackson  Lodge. 

On  October  16,  1817,  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Tennessee 
granted  a  warrant  for  Washington  Lodge  at  Port  Gibson. 
On  July  27,  1818,  these  three  Lodges,  by  their  representa- 
tives, met  in  Natchez  and  organized  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
Mississippi.  These  three  original  Lodges  are  still  doing 
fine  work. 

ILLINOIS. 

On  September  24,  1805,  the  Grand  Master  of  Pennsyl- 
vania granted  a  dispensation  for  six  months  for  Western 
Star  Lodge  at  Kaskaskie,  an  ancient  town,  and  then 
quite  flourishing,  in  Indian  Territory.  A  warrant  was 
granted  June  2,  1806.  This  was  the  first  Lodge  known  to 
have  been  established  in  that  wide  scope  of  country,  which 
now  comprises  Illinois,  Wisconsin,  and  part  of  Minnesota. 

In  1815  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Kentucky  chartered  a 
Lodge  at  Shawnee  Town.  In  1819  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
Tennessee  chartered  Libanis  Lodge,  at  Edwardsville,  and 
in  1820  a  dispensation  for  Temple  Lodge,  at  Belleville. 
The  Grand  Lodge  of  Missouri  issued  warrants  for  several 
Lodges  in  1822. 

A  convention  of  delegates  met  at  Vandalia,  December 
1,  1823,  and  organized  a  Grand  Lodge.  The  Craft  began 
to  prosper,  but  in  1827  the  anti-Masonic  excitement  had 
spent  its  fury  in  Illinois,  and  the  Grand  Lodge,  as  well  as 
every  Lodge  in  the  State,  were  so  effectually  blotted  out 
that  no  trace  of  them  could  afterwards  be  found. 

On  October  13,  1827,  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Kentucky 
granted  a  dispensation  for  Bodle  Lodge,  at  Quincy,  there 
being  at  that  time  no  Lodge  in  the  State.  The  Grand  Lodge 
of  Missouri  granted  warrants  for  Franklin  Lodge,  at  Alton, 


MASONEY  IN  THE  STATES 


107 


in  1827,  and  Harmony  Lodge,  at  Jacksonville,  in  1838,  and 
Springfield  Lodge,  at  Springfield,  in  1839.  August  29, 
1837,  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Kentucky  warranted  Equality 
Lodge,  at  Equality,  and  in  1840  Ottawa  Lodge,  at  Ottawa, 
and  a  dispensation  for  Friendship  Lodge,  at  Dixon,  in 
1840. 

These  Lodges,  to  wit:  Bodle,  Equality,  Harmony, 
Springfield,  and  Friendship  are  still  in  existence  and  doing 
well. 

A  convention  was  held  on  April  6,  1840,  at  Jackson- 
ville, and  a  Grand  Lodge  organized  by  six  of  the  eight 
chartered  Lodges  and  one  of  the  three  Lodges  under  dis- 
pensation. 

So  complete  was  the  wiping  out  of  Masonry  in  the 
State,  about  1827,  that  the  present  Grand  Lodge  dates 
its  organization  from  1840,  and  none  of  the  Lodges  date 
back  further  than  Bodle  Lodge,  at  Quincy,  organized  Octo- 
ber 13,  1827. 

The  only  reference  I  find  to  the  former  Grand  Lodge 
was  a  direction  to  the  Grand  Secretary  to  make  inquiry  of 
the  officers  of  the  former  Grand  Lodge  as  to  what  dispo- 
sition was  made  of  the  jewels  and  furniture  of  that  body. 

MISSOURI. 

In  the  old  town  of  St.  Genevieve,  under  a  charter 
granted  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Pennsylvania,  Louisiana 
Lodge  was  established  in  1807,  which  was  the  beginning  of 
Masonry  in  that  part  of  the  Territory  of  Louisiana.  Dur- 
ing the  War  of  1812  the  unsettled  conditions  caused  the 
decline  of  this  Lodge,  and  finally,  about  1825,  it  ceased 
to  work. 

In  1809  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Pennsylvania  granted  a 
charter  to  St.  Louis  Lodge.  In  1820  the  Grand  Lodge 
of  Indiana  established  a  Lodge  at  Jackson.  The  Grand 
Lodge  of  Tennessee,  on  October  3,  1815,  granted  a  dis- 
pensation to  Missouri  Lodge,  in  St.  Louis.    On  November 


108 


FREEMASONRY— WHEN,  WHERE,  HOW? 


28,  1818,  the  Grand  Master  of  Tennessee  granted  a  dis- 
pensation for  Elkton  Lodge,  at  Elkton.  The  Grand  Master 
of  Tennessee,  on  the  same  date,  granted  a  dispensation  for 
Joachim  Lodge,  at  Herculaneum.  On  July  5,  1819,  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  Tennessee  granted  a  dispensation  to  St. 
Charles  Lodge,  at  St.  Charles.  The  name  was  afterwards 
changed  to  Hiram  Lodge. 

On  invitation  of  Missouri  Lodge,  representatives  of 
the  various  Lodges  assembled  in  the  hall  of  Missouri  Lodge, 
in  St.  Louis,  April  23,  1821,  and  organized  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  Missouri.  The  Lodges  represented  in  the  organi- 
zation were  Missouri,  which  was  numbered  1;  Joachim, 
which  was  numbered  2,  and  Hiram,  which  was  numbered  3. 
Joachim  ceased  to  work  in  1825,  and  Hiram  in  1826,  so 
that  Missouri  Lodge  is  the  only  survivor  of  the  Lodges 
which  organized  the  Grand  Lodge. 

The  first  Lodge  established  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
Missouri  was  Harmony  No.  4,  at  Louisiana,  which  seems 
not  to  be  in  existence. 

On  April  29,  1825,  the  Grand  Lodge  was  called  in- 
special  session  to  receive  General  Lafayette  as  a  visitor. 
Lafayette  and  his  son,  George  Washington  Lafayette,  were 
received  with  due  honors,  and  were  elected  honorary  mem- 
bers of  the  Grand  Lodge. 

INDIANA. 

August  31,  1808,  Vincennes  Lodge,  located  at  the  vil- 
lage of  that  name,  then  the  seat  of  government  of  the 
territory,  was  organized  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Kentucky. 
It  was  the  first  Lodge  organized  in  the  territory  of  Indi- 
ana. The  Grand  Lodge  of  Kentucky  also  warranted  the 
following  Lodges :  Union  Lodge,  at  Madison,  in  1815 ;  Blaz- 
ing Star,  at  Charleston,  in  1816,  and  Lawrenceburg,  in 
1817. 

The  Grand  Lodge  was  organized  January  12,  1818. 
At  that  time  the  Actual  Past  Master's  degree  was  a  pre- 
requisite to  the  installation  of  the  Master  or  Grand  Master. 


MASONKY  IN  THE  STATES 


109 


At  the  conclusion  of  the  election  for  Grand  Master  and 
Deputy  Grand  Master,  the  Grand  Lodge  closed  on  the 
Master's  degree,  when  the  Grand  Master  and  Depulty 
were  installed,  and  received  the  salutation  of  a  Past  Mas- 
ter. The  Past  Masters  Lodge  was  then  closed,  and  a  Mas- 
ters Lodge  again  opened,  and  the  remaining  grand  offi- 
cers were  elected  and  installed. 

Vincennes,  Union,  and  Lawrenceburg  Lodges  are  still 
in  existence  and  prospering. 

MAINE. 

Prior  to  1820,  Maine  composed  a  part  of  the  territory 
of  Massachusetts,  and  the  Lodges  were  under  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  Massachusetts.  In  that  year,  having  become  an 
independent  State,  Massachusetts  set  off  the  Lodges  in 
Maine  into  a  Grand  Lodge,  June  1,  1820.  The  first  Grand 
Master  was  William  King,  a  prominent  citizen.  He  was 
succeeded  by  Simon  Greenleaf,  an  eminent  jurist,  whose 
name  is  familiar  to  the  lawyers,  even  to  this  day. 

The  records  show  the  terrible  effect  of  the  anti-Masonic 
sentiment  in  Maine.  In  1829  there  were  fifty-eight  Lodges. 
At  the  time  of  the  annual  meeting  in  1837,  only  one 
Lodge  (Portland)  was  represented.  In  1844  sixteen 
were  reprsented,  and  the  Craft  began  to  revive  and  the 
Lodges  resumed  their  meetings.  A  new  Lodge,  named 
Mount  Hope,  was  organized,  the  first  in  twenty  years. 

ALABAMA. 

The  Masonic  history  of  Alabama  is  so  closely  connected 
with  that  of  Kentucky,  Tennessee,  and  Mississippi  that  it 
is  scarcely  profitable  to  speak  especially  of  it. 

The  Grand  Lodges  of  Tennessee  and  North  Carolina 
doubtless  established  the  first  Lodges  in  Alabama,  except 
Alabama,  established  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  South  Car- 
olina. 

The  oldest  Lodge  on  the  roll  of  Alabama  is  Helion, 
at  Huntsville,  which  was  named  Madison  when  it  was  first 


110  FREEMASONRY— WHEN,  WHERE,  HOW? 


established.  The  second  is  Alabama,  at  Perdue  Hill.  The 
next  is  Rising  Virtue,  at  Tuscaloosa.  These  Lodges  are 
still  at  work. 

The  Grand  Lodge  of  Alabama  was  formed  on  June  15, 
1821.  At  the  meeting  of  1836,  under  the  depression  of 
the  anti-Masonic  excitement,  there  was  no  quorum  present. 
The  few  members  who  were  there  waited  three  days,  and 
then  declared  the  Grand  Lodge  defunct,  and  proceeded  to 
formally  reorganize  it  by  adopting  a  new  constitution  and 
electing  new  officers.  The  Grand  Lodge,  however,  dates 
from  the  original  organization. 

TEXAS. 

Freemasonry  was  introduced  into  Texas  by  a  dispensa- 
tion from  J.  H.  Holland,  Grand  Master  of  Louisiana,  on 
December  27,  1835,  for  a  Lodge  at  Brizoria.  It  was  named 
Holland  Lodge  in  honor  of  the  Grand  Master  of  Louisiana. 
The  war  with  Mexico  caused  this  Lodge  to  suspend.  In 
October,  1837,  it  was  reopened  in  Houston.  This  was  the 
only  Lodge  established  in  Texas  prior  to  its  separation 
from  Mexico.  The  Grand  Lodge  of  Louisiana  also  estab- 
lished Milam  Lodge. 

The  Grand  Lodge  of  Texas  was  organized  December 
20,  1837.  Brother  Sam  Houston  was  Chairman  of  the  con- 
vention, and  Anson  Jones,  Secretary.  Delegates  were 
present  from  Holland  Lodge,  at  Houston ;  Milam  Lodge,  at 
Nacogdoches,  and  McFarlane  Lodge,  at  San  Augustine. 
Anson  Jones  was  elected  first  Grand  Master. 

IOWA. 

The  first  Lodge  in  Iowa  was  Des  Moines,  at  Burling- 
ton. It  was  under  dispensation  from  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
Missouri,  and  was  constituted  November  20,  1840.  Other 
Lodges  followed  soon  thereafter,  and  a  convention  was 
held  at  Iowa  City,  Iowa  Territory,  on  January  2,  1844, 
and  organized  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Iowa. 


MASONKY  IN  THE  STATES 


111 


WISCONSIN. 

The  first  Lodge  organized  in  Wisconsin,  after  it  be- 
came a  separate  political  division,  was  on  October  11, 

1842,  when  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Missouri  granted  a  war- 
rant for  Mineral  Point  Lodge,  at  Mineral  Point. 

On  October  2,  1843,  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Illinois  war- 
ranted Milwaukee  Lodge,  at  Milwaukee.    On  October  12, 

1843,  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Missouri  granted  a"  warrant 
for  Melody  Lodge,  at  Plattville. 

On  December  18,  1843,  these  three  Lodges  met  at 
Madison  and  organized  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Wisconsin. 

The  first  two  Lodges  organized  in  Wisconsin  are  still 
at  work;  that  is,  Mineral  Point,  with  160  members,  and 
Melody,  with  150  members. 

OREGON. 

In  September,  1848,  Multnomah  Lodge,  the  first  in 
Oregon,  was  opened  at  Oregon  City. 

In  1850  and  1851  the  Grand  Lodge  of  California 
chartered  Lodges  at  Portland  and  Lafayette. 

On  September  15,  1851,  these  three  Lodges  organized 
the  Grand  Lodge  at  Oregon  City. 

CALIFORNIA. 

On  November  9,  1848,  a  charter  was  issued  by  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  the  District  of  Columbia  for  a  Lodge  at 
San  Francisco,  to  be  California. 

Soon  thereafter  other  Lodges  were  chartered  by  the 
Grand  Lodges  of  Missouri  and  Connecticut. 

The  Grand  Lodge  was  organized  April  19,  1850. 


112  FREEMASONRY— WHEN,  WHERE,  HOW! 


MINNESOTA. 

The  Grand  Lodge  of  Ohio  introduced  Masonry  into 
Minnesota  by  the  establishment,  August  8,  1849,  of  St. 
Paul  Lodge,  in  St.  Paul. 

The  Grand  Master  of  Wisconsin  granted  a  dispen- 
sation to  St.  John's  Lodge,  at  Stillwater,  October  12,  1850. 
In  1852  the  Grand  Master  of  Illinois  granted  a  dispen- 
sation for  Cataract  Lodge  at  St.  Anthony  Falls. 

Delegates  from  these  three  Lodges  organized  /the 
Grand  Lodge  in  St.  Paul,  February  24,  1853. 

NEW  MEXICO. 

The  Grand  Lodge  of  Missouri  granted  a  charter  for 
Montezuma  Lodge,  at  Santa  Fe,  on  May  8,  1851.  Bent 
Lodge,  at  Koan,  was  chartered  June  1,  1860,  and  surren- 
dered in  1865.  A  Lodge  named  Chapman  had  been  or- 
ganized at  Las  Vegas.  The  records  of  the  Missouri  Grand 
Lodge  state  that  on  account  of  the  irregularity  of  the 
work  done  by  this  Lodge,  the  dispensation  was  withdrawn 
and  the  Lodge  stricken  from  the  rolls.  In  1865  it  was 
ordered  that  the  dispensation  for  Chapman  Lodge,  at  Fort 
Union,  be  restored.  The  charter  was  granted  to  Chapman 
Lodge  June  1,  1866.  Aztec  Lodge,  at  Los  Cruses,  was 
established  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Missouri  on  June  4, 
1866.  The  Grand  Lodge  of  Missouri,  it  seems,  was  the 
mother  of  all  the  Lodges  in  New  Mexico  before  the  organ- 
ization of  the  Grand  Lodge  in  that  territory. 

The  Grand  Lodge  for  the  Territory  of  New  Mexico 
was  organized  at  Santa  Fe,  August  7,  1877. 

KANSAS. 

Masonry  was  planted  in  Kansas  by  the  Grand  Lodge 
of  Missouri.  The  first  Lodge  was  Kansas  Lodge,  at  Wyan- 
dotte, established  August  4,  1854.  The  next  at  Smithfield, 
October  6,  1854,  and  the  next  at  Leavenworth,  December 
30,  1854. 


MASONBY  IN  THE  STATES 


113 


These  three  Lodges  organized  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
Kansas  at  Leavenworth,  March  17,  1856. 

NEBRASKA. 

The  Grand  Master  of  Illinois,  in  February,  1855, 
granted  a  dispensation  for  Nebraska  Lodge,  at  Bellevue, 
Nebraska  Territory.  The  Grand  Lodge  was  organized 
September  23,  1857. 

WASHINGTON. 

This  jurisdiction  wTas  originally  a  part  of  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  Oregon.  When  the  territory  was  divided,  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  Oregon  established  several  Lodges  in 
Washington,  and  these  Lodges  met  at  Olympia  on  Decem- 
ber 6,  1858,  and  organized  the  Grand  Lodge. 

COLORADO. 

On  October  1,  1859,  a  dispensation  was  granted  by 
the  Grand  Master  of  Kansas  for  a  Lodge  in  the  town  of 
Auraria  (now  Denver).  Other  lodges  were  chartered 
by  Kansas  and  Nebraska. 

On  August  2,  1861,  the  Grand  Lodge  was  organized 
at  Denver. 

NEVADA. 

California  is  entitled  to  the  credit  of  planting  Ma- 
sonry in  Nebraska,  Carson  City  Lodge,  February  3,  1862, 
being  the  first.  On  January  17,  1865,  the  Grand  Lodge 
was  organized  at  Virginia  City. 

SOUTH  DAKOTA. 

Dakota  Masonry  began  with  Dakota  Lodge,  at  Fort 
Randall,  which  was  established  by  dispensation  from  the 
Grand  Master  of  Iowa,  on  April  27,  1862.  The  next 
Lodge  was  December  5,  1862,  at  Yankton.  Other  Lodges 
followed,  and  on  June  23,  1875,  the  Grand  Lodge  was 
organized. 


114  FREEMASONRY— WHEX,  WHERE,  HOW? 


MONTANA. 

The  Grand  Master  of  Nebraska,  on  November  17, 
1863,  granted  a  dispensation  to  Idaho  Lodge  at  Nevada 
City  (then  Idaho  Territory).  This  Lodge  seems  never 
to  have  received  a  charter,  though  it  was  granted  by  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  Nebraska.  It  perhaps  was  destroyed  by 
the  Indians,  who  destroyed  most  of  the  mails  of  those  days. 

Solomon  Lodge  at  Fort  Calhoun  was  chartered  June 
22,  1866,  with  the  same  number  as  Idaho  Lodge.  The 
Grand  Master  of  Kansas  in  December,  1864,  authorized  a 
Lodge  at  Virginia  City.  In  April,  1865,  the  Grand  Master 
of  Colorado  established  Montana  Lodge  at  Virginia  City 
and  July  10,  1865,  the  same  Grand  Master  established  Hel- 
ena Lodge  at  Helena. 

A  convention  of  delegates  from  the  three  Lodges  or- 
ganized the  Grand  Lodge  in  Virginia  City,  January  24, 
1866. 

IDAHO. 

Idaho  received  its  Masonry  from  Oregon,  by  the  plant- 
ing of  Idaho  Lodge,  June  22,  1864.  Two  other  Lodges  were 
established  by  Oregon,  and  one  by  "Washington.  These  met 
in  convention  and  organized  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Idaho, 
December  16,  1867. 

WEST  VIRGINIA. 

During  the  Civil  War  of  1861-1865,  the  people  of  Vir- 
ginia were  divided  in.  sentiment,  so  that  West  Virginia 
was  formed  in  1863,  from  the  western  part  of  Virginia. 
Therefore  the  introduction  of  Masonry  into  Virginia  applies 
to  West  Virginia. 

The  Grand  Lodge  of  West  Virginia  was  formed  at 
Fairmount,  May  10,  1865,  by  the  concurrence  of  nine 
Lodges. 


MASONKY  IN  THE  STATES 


115 


UTAH. 

Mount  Moriah  Lodge  was  organized  at  Salt  Lake  City, 
February  5,  1866,  under  dispensation  from  the  Grand  Mas- 
ter of  Nevada,  but  on  account  of  the  disposition  of  the  mem- 
bers to  receive  Mormons  into  the  Lodge,  the  charter  was 
not  granted  and  the  dispensation  was  withdrawn. 

Later  Lodges  were  established  by  the  Grand  Lodges  of 
Montana  and  Kansas,  and  a  Grand  Lodge  was  organized 
January  17,  1872,  at  Salt  Lake  City. 

WYOMING. 

Masonry  was  established  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Ne- 
braska granting  a  dispensation  for  a  Lodge  at  South  Pass, 
to  be  called  Wyoming  Lodge,  November  20,  1869. 

The  Grand  Master  of  Colorado,  on  January  31,  1870, 
granted  a  dispensation  for  a  Lodge  at  Laramie  City  and  on 
October  1,  1872,  the  Grand  Master  of  Colorado  established 
Evanston  Lodge. 

These  Lodges  organized  the  Grand  Lodge  on  Decem- 
ber 16,  1874,  at  Laramie  City. 

ARIZONA. 

Masonry  was  introduced  into  Arizona  by  the  establish- 
ment of  a  Lodge  at  Prescott  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Cali- 
fornia. 

The  Grand  Lodge  of  Arizona  was  organized  March  23, 
1882. 

NORTH  DAKOTA. 

On  June  12,  1889,  the  representatives  of  Lodges  north 
of  the  seventh  standard  parallel  in  the  Territory  of  Dakota, 
formed  a  Grand  Lodge  for  North  Dakota.  That  left  the 
other  part  of  Dakota  to  be  called  South  Dakota  Grand 
Lodge. 


116  FKEEMASONRY— WHEN,  WHERE,  HOW? 


OKLAHOMA. 

The  Grand  Lodge  of  Arkansas  in  1853  chartered  Flint 
Lodge,  the  first  in  the  territory  now  comprising  the  State 
of  Oklahoma. 

In  1855,  Muskogee  Lodge  was  chartered  and  in  1860  or 
1861,  Doaksville,  and  in  1868  Boggy  Depot.  These  were 
all  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Arkansas. 

In  1872,  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Kansas  established  Alpha 
Lodge.  In  1873  Caddo  Lodge  was  established  by  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  Arkansas. 

On  October  5,  1874,  a  convention  was  held  at  Caddo  for 
the  purpose  of  organizing  a  Grand  Lodge.  Granville  Mc- 
Pherson,  a  former  resident  of  Arkansas,  was  made  Presi- 
dent and  E.  P.  Jones,  Secretary  of  the  Convention.  Mc- 
pherson was  elected  the  first  Grand  Master. 

Until  1892  this  Grand  Lodge  had  jurisdiction  over  all 
of  Indian  and  Oklahoma  Territories.  In  that  year  ten 
of  the  Lodges,  all  of  which  were  located  on  the  Oklahoma 
Territory  side,  withdrew  by  permission  and  organized  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  Oklahoma  Territory.  The  two  territorial 
Grand  Lodges  continued  with  great  prosperity  until  1909, 
when  they  united. 

The  two  territories  having  been  formed  into  one  State, 
under  the  name  of  Oklahoma,  it  was  thought  wise  to  unite 
the  two  Grand  Lodges,  which  was  accomplished  after 
nearly  two  years  of  brotherly  but  careful  negotiations. 
Under  the  plan  adopted,  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Indian  Terri- 
tory met  at  McAlester,  February  9,  1909,  and  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  Oklahoma  Territory  met  at  Guthrie  the  same  day. 
Each  Grand  Lodge  transacted  only  such  business  as  was 
necessary  to  close  up  its  affairs,  and  closed  with  the  under- 
standing that  it  would  never  be  opened  again.  The  mem- 
bers of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Indian  Territory  went  in  a  body 
in  a  special  train  to  Guthrie,  and  on  February  10  the  two 
territorial  Grand  Lodges  met  in  joint  session.  It  was  a 
very  harmonious  meeting  all  through.    The  attendance  was 


MASONRY  IN  THE  STATES 


117 


perhaps  two  thousand,  about  equally  divided  between  the 
two  jurisdictions.  The  plan  had  been  so  carefully  and  so 
minutely  arranged  that  not  the  slightest  hitch  occurred. 

Past  Grand  Master  Hoag,  of  Oklahoma,  called  the  joint 
convention  to  order  and  handed  the  gavel  to  Past  Grand 
Master  Bennett,  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Indian  Territory. 
Brother  Bennett  presided  and  Brother  J.  S.  Murrow  was 
Secretary. 

The  Constitution  had  already  been  prepared  by  a  com- 
mittee from  both  jurisdictions  and  it  was  adopted  without 
being  read  to  the  Convention,  after  which  the  Convention 
adjourned  and  the  new  Grand  Lodge  was  called  to  order 
and  the  Grand  officers  elected. 

It  had  been  agreed  upon  as  to  how  the  officers  were  to 
be  taken  from  the  two  territories,  so  that  there  was  no  con- 
test for  any  office,  and  resulted  in  the  selection  of  the  fol- 
lowing : 

Henry  L.  Muldrow,  of  Indian  Territory,  Grand  Master. 

George  Ruddle,  Jr.,  of  Oklahoma  Territory,  Deputy 
Grand  Master. 

Alex  Eddleman,  of  Indian  Territory,  Senior  Grand 
Warden. 

C.  R.  Cook,  of  Oklahoma  Territory,  Junior  Grand 
Warden. 

L.  E.  Bennett,  of  Indian  Territory,  Grand  Treasurer. 

J.  S.  Murrow,  of  Indian  Territory,  and  William  An- 
derson, of  Oklahoma,  Grand  Secretaries. 

W,  B.  Brown,  of  Oklahoma  Territory,  Grand  Lecturer. 

W.  S.  Talmage,  of  Indian  Territory,  Grand  Orator. 

J.  S.  Murrow,  the  oldest  Past  Grand  Master,  was  called 
upon  to  install  the  officers,  which  he  proceeded  to  do  until 
nearly  through,  when  he  requested  Past  Grand  Master 
Thornburgh,  of  Arkansas,  to  continue  the  installation.  I 
was  greatly  pleased  to  be  present  and  to  be  honored  with  a 
part  in  the  installation  and  expressed  my  gratitude  and  the 
love  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Arkansas  for  its  child  and  its 
grandchild,  and  our  delight  at  the  union  of  the  two. 


118  FREEMASONRY— WHEX,  WHERE,  HOW? 


The  new  Grand  Master  stated  that  he  desired  that  the 
first  Grand  Honors  given  by  the  new  Grand  Lodge  of  the 
State  of  Oklahoma,  should  be  given  to  Brother  Thornburgh, 
whereupon  the  Grand  Lodge  was  called  up  and  the  Grand 
Honors  given  to  the  Past  Grand  Master  of  Arkansas. 

The  meetings  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Oklahoma  are 
held  by  agreement  alternately  at  Guthrie  and  McAlester. 

The  union  of  two  Grand  Lodges  is  a  rare  and  strange 
procedure.  I  am  glad  that  I  was  permitted  to  witness  this 
one. 


ANCIENT  AND  ACCEPTED  SCOTTISH  RITE, 

Prince  James,  the  son  of  James  II  of  England,  be- 
longed to  the  English  House  of  Stuart.  The  House  of 
Hanover  had  forced  the  abdication  of  James  II  and  the  son 
was  involved  in  his  father's  exclusion  from  the  crown  of 
England.  The  party  who  supported  Prince  James  were 
known  in  history  as  the  Jacobites.  In  1715,  this  party 
endeavored  to  procure  for  Prince  James  the  throne  of 
England  by  force  of  arms.  Their  strength  was  largely  in 
Scotland.  They  were  unsuccessful  and  the  Scotch  princes 
and  leaders,  who  were  not  beheaded,  escaped  to  France, 
Prince  James  along  with  them. 

Freemasonry  was  carried  to  France  by  these  exiled 
princes.  There  was  a  Jacobite  tendency  for  centralization 
among  them,  just  as  there  was  in  the  House  of  Hanover  a 
democratic  influence.  It  was  natural,  therefore,  that  a 
Scottish  influence  and  character  should  be  given  by  those 
men,  as  they  stood  together  in  support  of  their  exiled  Scot- 
tish prince.  And  this  explains  why  these  degrees  are 
called  the  Scottish  Rite.  Not  that  they  originated  in  Scot- 
land, but  those  who  formulated  them  were  either  from 
Scotland  or  were  supporters  of  the  House  of  Stuart. 

There  were  many  degrees  conferred  at  that  time,  with- 
out regard  to  organized  Lodges  or  bodies.  These  princes, 
having  been  exiled  to  France,  came  together  as  Masons, 
and  in  order  to  avoid  following  the  York  Masons,  they 
gathered  up  a  number  of  degrees  and  organized  a  Chapter 
called  4 'Rose  Croix"  in  1744.  They  obtained  a  charter 
from  the  Stuart  prince.  The  degrees  conferred  by  this 
authority  are  not  known  at  present,  but  it  is  generally  ac- 
cepted that  the  Chapter  of  the  Rose  Croix  was  a  fore- 
runner of  the  Chapter  of  Clermont,  which  was  the  nucleus 
of  the  Rite  of  Perfection.  The  founder  of  this  Chapter  of 
Clermont  was  Chevalier  de  Bonneville,  and  the  date  was 
1754. 


120 


FREEMASONRY— WHEN,  WHERE,  HOW? 


In  1759,  a  Council  of  "  Emperors  of  the  East  and 
West"  succeeded  the  Clermont  Council,  and  enlarged  the 
number  of  degrees  to  twenty-five,  the  highest  of  which 
was  4  4  The  Sublime  Prince  of  the  Royal  Secret/ '  This 
Council  adopted  a  constitution  known  as  the  "Constitu- 
tion of  1762, 99  which  is  still  recognized  in  conjunction  with 
the  ' 6 Constitution  of  1786. 99  The  authority  for  the  Grand 
Constitution  of  1786  has  been  attributed  to  Frederick  the 
Great,  King  of  Prussia.  His  connection,  however,  with 
this  constitution  has  been  denied  by  Masonic  authorities. 
Brother  Albert  Pike,  after  a  careful  research,  reached  the 
conclusion  that  these  constitutions  were  made  at  Berlin, 
and  approved  by  Frederick.  It  is  not,  however,  a  question 
of  very  serious  import.  These  constitutions  have  been  ac- 
cepted as  a  test  of  regularity.  They  are  the  groundwork 
of  the  Rite,  wherever  adopted.  In  1761,  the  Council  in 
France  granted  a  patent  to  Stephen  Morin,  authorizing  him 
to  introduce  the  Rite  into  America.  In  the  same  year,  he 
landed  at  San  Domingo,  and  proceeded  to  exercise  the  au- 
thority thus  given  him.  Morin  perhaps  never  visited  the 
main  land  of  the  American  continent,  but  he  did  confer  the 
degrees  of  the  Scottish  Rite  upon  certain  persons,  and  made 
them  Deputy  Inspectors  General. 

Henry  Andrew  Francken,  in  1762,  was  perhaps  the 
first  to  be  so  commissioned.  Francken  was  authorized  to 
establish  the  Rite  in  the  American  colonies.  He  came  to 
New  York  in  1767  and  established  a  Lodge  of  Perfection  in 
Albany.  He  appointed  Moses  M.  Hays  of  Massachusetts, 
a  deputy.  Hays,  in  turn,  appointed  Isaac  DaCosta,  Dep- 
uty Inspector  General  for  South  Carolina,  who  in  1783 
established  a  Lodge  of  Perfection  at  Charleston. 

Hays  also  commissioned  Barend  M.  Spitzer  as  a  Dep- 
uty Inspector  General,  and  Spitzer  commissioned  John 
Mitchell  a  Deputy  Inspector  General.  On  May  21,  1801, 
Mitchell  issued  to  Frederick  Dalcho  a  patent  certifying  to 
Dalcho's  possession  of  the  degrees  and  creating  him  a 
Deputy  Inspector  General. 


ANCIENT  AND  ACCEPTED  SCOTTISH  EITE  121 


On  May  31,  1801,  a  Supreme  Council  was  organized  in 
Charleston,  by  John  Mitchell  and  Frederick  Dalcho.  This 
organization  was  given  the  name  of  the  4 'Supreme  Council 
of  Sovereign  Grand  Inspectors  General  of  the  Thirty-third 
Degree  for  the  United  States  of  America. ' '  It  adopted  the 
constitutions  of  1762  and  1786.  Previous  to  this,  the  Rite 
had  consisted  of  twenty-five  degrees.  Additional  degrees 
consisted  of  interpolations,  only  adding  the  Thirty-third; 
the  Twenty-fifth  degree  of  the  Rite  of  Perfection  became 
the  Thirty-second  of  the  new  Rite. 

The  new  Council  assumed  control  of  the  Rite  of  Per- 
fection without  objection,  and  the  latter  lost  its  identity. 
In  1802  the  Supreme  Council  granted  a  patent  to  Count 
DeGrasse  to  establish  a  Supreme  Council  in  San  Domingo, 
which  was  of  short  duration,  because  of  the  revolution  in  the 
latter  part  of  the  same  year,  which  drove  the  French  from 
the  island.  Upon  his  return  to  France,  DeGrasse  with  his 
associates  formed  the  Supreme  Council  of  France  by  au- 
thority of  his  original  patent,  which  body  is  now  the  gov- 
erning body  of  the  Scottish  Rite  in  France.  The  next 
Supreme  Council  organized  was  that  of  the  Northern  Ju- 
risdiction*, United  States.  Its  formation  was  based  upon 
the  Latin  Constitutions  which  provided  for  two  Supreme 
Councils,  and  but  two,  in  North  America.  In  1806,  An- 
toine  Bideaud,  who  had  been  created  a  Thirty-third  in  San 
Domingo  by  DeGrasse,  conferred  the  degrees  upon  a  num- 
ber of  Miasons  and  established  a  Consistory  in  New  York. 
From  this  sprang  other  Consistories  and  resulted  in  1813 
in  the  organization  of  the  Northern  Supreme  Council. 
These  proceedings  were  ratified  by  the  Southern  Supreme 
Council  in  December  following. 

The  history  of  these  two  supreme  organizations  is  a 
record  of  successive  and  bitter  controversies.  In  1860  a 
schism  occurred  in;  the  Northern  Council,  growing  out  of  a 
resolution  regulating  the  number  of  members  of  the  Thirty- 
third  degree  and  Council.  This  culminated  in  the  forming 
of  a  new  and  rival  Supreme  Council.    Both  of  these  Coun- 


122 


FREEMASONRY— WHEN,  WHERE,  HOW? 


cils  met  and  published  Proceedings  in  1860.  All  but  four 
bodies  in  New  York  City  adhered  to  the  original  organiza- 
tion, these  four  constituting  the  schismatical  grand  body. 
Both  of  these  Supreme  Councils  claimed  jurisdiction  over 
the  northern  territory  and  each  diligently  sought  recogni- 
tion at  the  hands  of  the  Southern  Supreme  Council.  At 
this  time  there  existed  a  third  Supreme  Council  in  New 
York,  which  purported  to  hold  jurisdiction  over  the  entire 
United  States.  This  body  arose  from  the  expulsion  by  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  New  York,  for  rebellion  against  its  author- 
ity, of  one  Henry  C.  Atwood.  Atwood  had  been  made  a 
Thirty-third  in  the  Southern  Jurisdiction  by  one  of  its 
numerous  Inspectors  General.  It  must  be  remembered 
that  at  that  time  Sovereign  Inspectors  General  were  empow- 
ered to  communicate  or  confer  the  Thirty-third  degree  at 
any  time  to  or  upon  whomsoever  they  chose,  without  the 
sanction  of  the  Supreme  Council.  This  unwise  regulation 
was  the  primary  cause  of  the  continual  dissension  in  the 
Scottish  Rite  ranks.  Upon  his  expulsion,  Atwood  pro- 
ceeded at  once  to  organize  a  rival  Grand  Lodge,  which  main- 
tained an  existence  from  1837  to  1850,  when  it  was  merged 
into  the  regular  body,  and  its  acts  made  valid.  Those 
whom  Atwood  made  Thirty-thirds  were  adherents  to  this 
Grand  Lodge  and  therefore  could  not  affiliate  with  either 
of  the  other  two  Supreme  Councils  and  consequently  or- 
ganized a  Supreme  Council  of  their  own.  It  was  short- 
lived, however,  having  soon  succumbed  to  adverse  fate.  In 
the  same  year  an  attempt  was  made  by  Jeremy  L.  Cross  to 
revive  this  body,  but  it  went  to  pieces  within  the  year.  In 
1852,  Atwood,  who  had  previously  been  reinstated  and 
restored  to  good  standing  with  the  union  of  the  two  Grand 
Lodges,  again  rebelled  and  was  a  second  time  expelled.  He 
immediately  attempted  to  organize  another  Grand  Lodge 
and  also  reorganize  his  Supreme  Council,  which  it  was 
claimed  was  a  resuscitation  of  the  first  Atwood  and  the 
Cross  bodies,  at  least  the  records  being  made  to  appear  so. 
This  Council  remained  in  existence  long  after  the  death  of 


ANCIENT  AND  ACCEPTED  SCOTTISH  BITE  123 


Atwood,  which  occurred  in-  1860.  He  was  succeeded  by 
Edmund  Hays,  who  was  created  a  Thirty-third  by  Atwood, 
in  1848,  and  elected  Deputy  Grand  Commander  of  this 
body  in  1857.  Hays  at  once  inaugurated  vigorous  meas- 
ures to  increase  the  power  of  his  Supreme  Council.  In 
1862,  the  body  assumed  the  title  of  ' '  Supreme  Council  of 
Sovereign  Grand  Inspectors  General  for  the  United  States 
of  America  and  Its  Dependencies  and  Territories. ' 1  In 
1863  the  Hays  Council  effected  a  union  with  one  of  the 
other  bodies,  then  known  as  the  Eaymond  Council.  With 
the  Civil  War,  activity  in  both  Councils  ceased.  After  its 
close  both  bodies  were  anxious  to  secure  the  coveted  recog- 
nition from  the  Southern  Supreme  Council.  The  Hays 
Council  was  not  in  position  to  seek  recognition,  because  of 
its  claim  of  jurisdiction  over  the  territory  of  the  Southern 
Council.  To  obviate  this  a  committee  was  appointed  to 
consider  the  advisability  of  changing  the  title.  This  re- 
sulted in  the  resumption  of  the  old  name  of  Supreme  Coun- 
cil for  Northern  Jurisdiction  of  the  United  States.  Dele- 
gates were  then  selected  to  repair  to  the  meeting  of  the 
Southern  Council  at  Charleston  and  present  their  claims 
for  recognition. 

The  Southern  Jurisdiction  Supreme  Council  declared 
the  proceedings  of  both  illegal  and  that  neither  should  be 
recognized,  but  suggested  a  union  of  the  two.  Acting  upon 
this,  a  meeting  was  held  in  Boston  in  May,  1867,  at  which  a 
treaty  was  signed  by  committees  representing  both  Coun- 
cils, and  whereupon  the  two  Councils  came  together;  each 
Council  had  twenty-eight  active  members,  but  Charles  Levi 
Woodberry,  of  Massachusetts,  was  added  in  recognition  of 
his  services  in  bringing  about  the  union. 

Josiah  H.  Drummond,  an  eminent  jurist  and  great 
Mason,  was  chosen  Grand  Commander.  Peace  was  thus 
established.  The  Supreme  Council  Southern  Jurisdiction 
at  once  recognized  the  united  Council  of  the  Northern  Ju- 
risdiction. It  was  recognized  by  other  Supreme  Councils 
everywhere,  and  at  once  entered  upon  a  career  of  pros- 


124 


FREEMASONRY— WHEN,  WHERE,  HOW? 


perity.  Its  growth  exceeded  the  expectations  of  the  most 
enthusiastic.  For  five  years  peace  was  unbroken,  but  in 
1872,  Henry  J.  Seymour,  who  had  been  expelled  by  the 
Council  of  wThich  he  was  a  member,  organized  what  he 
called  a  Supreme  Council.  It  made  little  headway,  and 
finally  divided  into  two  bodies.  In  1881  Hopkins,  Thomp- 
son and  others,  who  had  taken  the  oath  of  fealty  to  the 
Supreme  Council,  formed  an  association  which  they  called 
the  "Cerneau  Supreme  Council,,  Revived."  They 
claimed  that  they  entered  into  the  union  of  1867  under  a 
misunderstanding  and  without  proper  knowledge.  This 
body  claims  jurisdiction  over  the  South  as  well  as  the 
North.  It  denies  the  legality  of  the  Southern  Council 
and  everything  else  except  its  own.  These  so-called  Scot- 
tish Rite  bodies  are  not  recognized  by  the  regular  Su- 
preme Councils.  As  much  of  the  trouble  and  confusion 
was  caused  by  what  is  known  as  the  "Cerneau  Rite,"  it 
may  be  well  enough  to  explain  what  it  was. 

THE  CERNEAU  RITE. 

In  1807  Joseph  Cerneau  came  to  New  York.  He  was 
a  member  of  the  Masonic  Bodies  in  the  West  Indies  and 
possessed  a  patent  certifying  that  he  had  received  the  de- 
grees of  Scottish  Rite  of  Heredom,  and  authorizing  him  to 
confer  degrees  and  organize  bodies  of  that  Rite  in  northern 
Cuba  and  confer  the  Twenty-fifth  degree  on  one  person 
in  each  year.  The  Twenty-fifth  was  the  highest  degree  of 
this  Rite  and  was  the  highest  degree  Cerneau  ever  received. 
Cerneau  disregarded  the  limits  of  his  patent,  and  upon 
his  arrival  in  New  York,  proceeded  to  exercise  his  power. 
In  1807,  he  established  a  Grand  Consistory  for  the  United 
States  of  America  or  Supreme  Chiefs  of  Exalted  Masonry 
of  the  Rite  of  Heredom.  Controversies  naturally  arose 
between  this  organization  and  those  acting  under  authority 
of  the  Supreme  Council  at  Charleston.  Cerneau,  recog- 
nizing the  impossibility  of  maintaining  a  Rite  of  Twenty- 


ANCIENT  AND  ACCEPTED  SCOTTISH  EITE  125 


five  degrees  against  one  of  Thirty-three  degrees,  proceeded 
to  announce  the  formation,  in  1811,  of  the  Supreme  Council 
of  Grand  Inspectors  General  of  the  Thirty-third  degree, 
revising  his  scale  of  degrees  accordingly.  There  is  no  doubt 
that  Cerneau  concocted  his  Thirty-third  degree,  as  there  is 
no  evidence  of  his  ever  having  received  that  degree. 

In  1814,  the  Supreme  Council  at  Charleston  sent  a 
special  deputy  to  investigate  this  Rite,  and  upon  his  report, 
denounced  Cerneau  as  an  impostor  and  declared  his  organi- 
zation illegal  and  clandestine.  The  Cerneau  body  was, 
however,  active  and  kept  itself  before  the  public  by  numer- 
ous publications.  In  1827,  Cerneau  left  for  France,  and 
with  his  departure,  his  Supreme  Council  went  out  of  exist- 
ence. In  1832,  Count  De  St.  Lawrence  came  to  New  York, 
and  finding  the  Cerneau  bodies  dead,  organized,  with  the 
aid  of  some  of  the  surviving  members,  a  new  body.  The 
old  name  was  abandoned  and  the  title  of  "United  Su- 
preme Council  for  the  Western  Hemisphere"  was  adopted. 
This  was  known  as  the  "Hicks  Body,"  Hicks  being  the 
first  Grand  Commander.  It  is  said  to  have  been  dissolved 
in  1846,  and  its  funds  divided  among  four  surviving  mem- 
bers. Many  subsequent  bodies  have  claimed  to  be  the  suc- 
cessors of  the  Cerneau  Eite. 

LEGITIMATE  BODIES. 

It  will  be  well  for  every  Mason  who  expects  to  be- 
come a  Scottish  Rite  Mason,  to  understand  fully  that  at 
present  there  are  in  the  United  States  only  two  regular  and 
legitimate  Supreme  Scottish  Rite  bodies,  and  only  two  reg- 
ular and  legitimate  Supreme  Councils  of  the  Thirty-third 
Degree  of  the  Ancient  and  Accepted  Scottish  Rite  of  Free- 
masonry. The  older  is  styled  the  "Supreme  Council  of 
the  Ancient  and  Accepted  Scottish  Rite  of  Freemasonry 
for  the  Southern  Jurisdiction  of  the  United  States  of 
America. ' '  Its  jurisdiction  extends  over  all  the  States  and 
Territories  of  the  United  States,  except  the  fifteen  States 
north  and  east  of  the  Mississippi  River.    The  other  legit- 


126  FREEMASONRY— WHEN,  WHERE,  HOW? 


imate  Council  is  ' '  The  Supreme  Council  of  the  Ancient  and 
Accepted  Scottish  Rite  of  Freemasonry  for  the  Northern 
Masonic  Jurisdiction  of  the  United  States  of  America/ ' 
which  has  jurisdiction  over  all  the  United  States  not  in-* 
eluded  in  the  territory  of  the  Southern  Jurisdiction.  These 
jurisdictions  were  defined  in  1827,  before  there  was  any 
"  Northern 99  or  "  Southern "  political  question.  The 
Southern  Council  was  established  at  Charleston,  on  May 
31,  1801,  by  Colonel  John  Mitchell,  who  was,  by  birth,  an 
Irishman,  and  officer  of  the  navy  during  the  American  Rev- 
olution, and  Dr.  Frederick  Dalcho,  by  birth  an  English- 
man, but  of  German  (Prussian)  descent. 

These  two  Councils  are  in  Fraternal  correspondence 
with  each  other  and  with  all  the  legitimate  Supreme  Coun- 
cils of  the  world. 

The  "See"  of  the  Southern  Council  is  at  Charleston, 
S.  C,  but  its  actual  seat  of  government  is  at  Washington, 
D.  C,  where  the  Council  meets  biennially,  and  where  it 
is  erecting  a  magnificent  temple,  which  will  be  devoted 
exclusively  to  the  administration  of  its  affairs. 

The  "See"  of  the  Northern  Council  is  at  Boston,  Mass. 
This  Council  meets  annually  at  such  places  as  it  may  vote, 
but  every  third  year  it  must  meet  at  Boston,  its  "See." 

In  Asia,  Africa,  South  America,  and  in  parts  of 
Europe,  the  Scottish  Rite  is  practically  the  only  Masonry 
known,  and  the  three  Symbolical  degrees  are  conferred 
under  the  auspices  of  the  Supreme  Councils,  similar  to  the 
methods  of  the  Grand  Lodges  in  this  country.  The  de- 
grees, are,  however,  somewhat  different. 


ANCIENT  AND  ACCEPTED  SCOTTISH  EITE  127 


SUBDIVISIONS. 

In  both  the  Southern  and  Northern  jurisdictions  the 
Rite  is  divided  into  four  bodies,  as  follows: 

SOUTHERN  JURISDICTION. 

Lodge  of  Perfection,  conferring  the  degrees  from  the 
Fourth  to  Fourteenth,  inclusive. 

Chapter  Knights  Rose  Croix,  conferring  the  degrees 
from  the  Fifteenth  to  the  Eighteenth,  inclusive. 

Coucil  Knights  Kadosh,  conferring  the  degrees  from 
the  Nineteenth  to  the  Thirtieth,  inclusive. 

The  Consistory,  conferring  the  Thirty-first  and  Thirty- 
second  degrees. 

NORTHERN  JURISDICTION. 

Lodge  of  Perfection,  conferring  the  degrees  from  the 
Fourth  to  the  Fourteenth,  inclusive. 

Council  of  Princes  of  Jerusalem,  conferring  the  Fif- 
teenth and  Sixteenth  degrees. 

Chapter  Knights  Rose  Croix,  conferring  the  Seven- 
teenth and  Eighteenth  degrees. 

The  Consistory,  conferring  the  degrees  from  the  Nine- 
teenth to  the  Thirty-second,  inclusive. 

In  the  Northern  Jurisdiction  the  degrees  are  desig- 
nated Grades. 

KNIGHT  COMMANDER  OF  THE  COURT  OF  HONOR. 

This  rank  is  not  known  in  the  Northern  Jurisdiction; 
it  was  on  recommendation  of  General  Pike,  some  years 
ago,  adopted  by  the  Southern  Jurisdiction,  as  a  mark  of 
merit  for  services  rendered  and  from  which  to  select  those 
who  were  afterwards  to  receive  the  distinction  of  being 
elected  to  the  Thirty-third  degree. 

Each  active  member  of  the  Supreme  Council  in  the 
Southern  Jurisdiction  has  the  right  to  nominate  one  Thirty- 


128  FBEEMASONKY— WHEN,  WHEKE,  HOW? 


second  degree  Mason  by  right  of  his  position,  and  one  for 
every  fifty  Perfect  Elus  (Fourteenth  degree)  made  in  his 
State  each  two  years,  thus  furnishing  a  reserve  force  from 
which  to  select  those  who  are  to  receive  higher  honors. 

THIRTY-THIRD  DEGREE. 

The  Thirty-third  degree  is  not  to  be  petitioned  for, 
but  is  conferred  on  those  who  may  be  deemed  to  merit 
it  by  distinction  in  Masonry,  and  especially  in  Scottish 
Rite.  The  selection  for  this  honor  differs  somewhat  in  the 
Northern  Jurisdiction  from  that  of  the  Southern. 

In  the  Southern  Jurisdiction  the  selections  are  made 
by  the  Sovereign  Grand  Inspector  General  (the  active 
member  of  the  Supreme  Council  from  each  State),  and 
where  there  is  no  active  member  the  Deputy  of  the  Su- 
preme Council  makes  recommendations  and  the  Grand  Com- 
mander makes  the  nominations  on  such  recommendations. 
Each  Sovereign  Grand  Inspector  General  is  entitled  to 
nominate  one  Knight  Commander  by  right  of  his  position, 
and  additional  to  that  one  for  every  100  Perfect  Elus 
(Fourteenth  degree),  during  the  two  years  intervening 
between  the  meetings  of  the  Supreme  Council.  No  Knight 
Commander  can  be  elected  to  the  Thirty-third  degree  un- 
less he  shall  have  attained  the  age  of  thirty-five  years, 
and  have  been  a  Knight  Commander  for  at  least  two 
years.  Those  so  elected  and  who  have  the  degree  conferred 
upon  them,  are  entitled  ''Thirty-third  Degree,  Hon." — 
the  distinction  between  the  Honorary  Thirty-third  degree 
Masons  and  those  who  are  active  members  of  the  Supreme 
Council,  being  that  the  latter  are  styled  Sovereign  Grand 
Inspectors  General,  and  as  such  are  vested  with  the  guid- 
ance of  the  Rite  in  the  several  States  to  which  they 
belong.  They  also  become  life  members  of  the  Supreme 
Council. 

In  the  Northern  Jurisdiction,  the  selection  of  Thirty- 
thirds  is  made  from  those  who  have  attained  the  Thirty- 
second  degree,  and  nominations  are  made  by  the  Deputy 


ANCIENT  AND  ACCEPTED  SCOTTISH  BITE  129 


of  each  State.  As  there  is  more  than  one  active  member  in 
the  Supreme  Council  from  each  State  in  the  Northern 
Jurisdiction,  the  authority  for  the  guidance  of  the  affairs 
of  the  Rite  in  each  of  the  States  is  thus  placed  in  charge 
of  an  active  member  who  is  designated  a  Deputy  for  the 
State.  The  Deputy  is  entitled  to  name  one  Thirty-third, 
Hon.,  for  every  100  Perfect  Elus  (Fourteenth  degree 
Masons)  made  in  his  State  each  year,  while  in  the  South- 
ern Jurisdiction  the  nominations  are  made  each  two  years 
and  based  upon  the  number  of  Perfect  Elus  made  in  that 
period.  In  the  Northern  Jurisdiction  there  is  no  inter- 
mediate degree  or  order  such  as  obtains  in  the  Southern 
Jurisdiction,  that  of  Knight  Commander  of  the  Court  of 
Honor.  The  selections,  therefore,  are  made  direct  from  the 
Thirty-second  degree  Masons  and  elected  one  year,  and 
the  Degree  conferred  the  following  year  when  the  Supreme 
Council  meets. 

ACTIVE  MEMBERS  OF  THE  SUPREME  COUNCIL. 

In  both  jurisdictions,  active  members  are  elected  for 
life,  and  when  vacancies  occur  they  are  filled  by  the  Su- 
preme Council,  which  alone  has  the  authority  to  select  its 
members. 

The  full  quota  of  membership  in  the  two  jurisdictions 
is  as  follows:  The  Southern,  thirty-three,  and  the  North- 
ern, sixty-six,  but  in  neither  jurisdiction  has  the  full  quota 
obtained,  the  active  members  in  the  Southern  Jurisdiction 
at  this  time  being  twenty-four,  while  in  the  Northern 
Jurisdiction  the  number  is  forty-four. 

DOUBLE-HEADED  EAGLE. 

The  eagle  with  extended  wings  has  always  been  deemed 
an  emblem  of  imperial  power.  As  such  the  single-headed 
eagle  became  the  standard  of  the  Roman  empire.  At  the 
division  of  the  Roman  Dominions  into  the  Eastern  and 
Western  Empires,  the  <2WWe-headed  eagle  became  the  em- 


130  FREEMASONRY— WHEN,  WHERE,  HOW  f 


blem  of  the  double  empire;  one  head  looking,  as  it  were, 
to  the  west,  and  the  other  to  the  east.  The  double-headed 
eagle  was  likely  adopted  by  the  Council  of  ' '  Emperors  of 
the  East  and  West/'  when  they  formulated  the  Scottish 
Rite  degrees  in  Paris.  It  not  only  referred  to  the  double 
jurisdiction  that  this  Council  assumed,  which  was  of  the 
Ancient  as  well  as  the  Scottish  Rite  degrees,  but  also 
had  reference  to  Emperor  Frederick  II  of  Prussia. 

The  Jewel  of  the  Thirty-third  degree  is  a  Double- 
headed  Eagle,  a  crown  resting  on  both  heads.  The  crown 
distinguishes  the  Thirty-third  from  the  Thirty-second 
degree. 

RINGS. 

There  are  but  two  official  rings  in  each  jurisdiction, 
that  for  the  Fourteenth  and  that  for  the  Thirty-third 
degree. 

The  Fourteenth  degree  ring  is  very  similar  in  both 
jurisdictions.  It  is  a  plain  gold  flat  band,  with  the  proper 
inscription  inside.  The  ring  is  perfectly  plain  on  the 
outside.  The  inscription  in  the  Northern  Jurisdiction  is 
in  English,  in  the  Southern  in  Latin.  The  proper  finger 
on  which  to  wear  the  ring  is  the  third  of  the  left  hand, 
in  the  Northern  Jurisdiction,  and  the  third  of  the  right 
hand  in  the  Southern  Jurisdiction. 

The  Thirty-third  degree  ring  is  made  to  represent 
three  bands,  as  though  three  narrow  rings  were  attached 
together  side  by  side. 

In  the  Southern  Jurisdiction  the  ring  is  perfectly 
plain  on  the  outside,  with  the  proper  inscription  on  the 
inside.  There  should  be  no  device  of  any  kind  on  the  out- 
side. 

In  the  Northern  Jurisdiction,  the  ring  has  a  triangle 
on  its  face,  with  the  figure  33  within  the  triangle. 

In  the  Southern  Jurisdiction  the  ring  is  worn  on  the 
little  finger  of  the  right  hand,  and  in  the  Northern  on  the 
third  of  the  left  hand. 


ANCIENT  AND  ACCEPTED  SCOTTISH  RITE  131 


These  are  the  only  rings  officially  designated  in  either 
jurisdiction  and  both  Supreme  Councils  have  tried  to  con- 
fine the  brethren  to  the  wearing  of  the  proper  rings  as 
designated,  but  many  in  both  jurisdictions,  on  receiving 
the  Thirty-second  degree,  purchase  rings  more  or  less 
elaborate,  some  of  them  mounted  with  diamonds  or  other 
jewels,  but  officially,  there  are  only  the  two  rings,  as  herein 
described,  and  which  should  be  properly  worn  by  those 
entitled  to  wear  them.  The  ring  for  the  Thirty-thirds  has 
also  been  improperly  varied  to  suit  the  individual  taste 
of  the  wearer,  but  not  to  the  extent  which  has  obtained  on, 
the  Fourteenth  degree  ring. 

The  present  members  of  the  Supreme  Council  of  the 
Southern  Jurisdiction  are : 

James    D.    Richardson*  Grand  Commander  Murfreesboro,  Tenn. 

George    F.    Moore  Lieut.  Grand  Commander.. ..Montgomery,  Ala. 

...r  Grand    Prior  ,  

Charles    E.    Rosenbaum  Grand  Chancellor  Little  Rock,  Ark. 

Charles  F.  Buck  Grand  Minister  of  State  New  Orleans,  La. 

John   H.   Cowles  Secretary  General  Louisville,  Ky. 

John  W.  Morris  Treasurer  General....,  Wheeling,  W.  Va. 

Adolphus  L.  Fitzgerald  Grand  Almoner  Eureka,  Nev. 

Ernest  B.  Hussey  r  Grand  Master  of  Ceremonies.... Seattle,  Wash. 

Frank  M.  Foote  Grand  Chamberlain  Evanston,  Wyo. 

John  F.  Mayer   First  Grand  Equerry  Richmond,  Va. 

 Second  Grand  Equerry  

Edward  T.  Taubman  Grand  Standard  Bearer  Aberdeen  S.  D. 

Henry  C.  Alverson  Grand  Sword  Bearer  Des  Moines,  Iowa. 

Alphonso  C.  Stewart  .....Grand  Herald  St.  Louis,  Mo. 

Erasmus  T.  Carr  ,  Helena,  Mont. 

Horatio  P.  Plumley  Fargo,   N.  D. 

Melville  R.  Grant  „  .,  Meridian,  Miss. 

Samuel  P.  Cochran  Dallas,  Texas 

Thomas  J.  Shryock  P  Baltimore,  Md. 

Philip  S.  Malcolm  Portland,  Ore. 

William    P.    Filmer  .  San  Francisco,  Cal. 

Perry  W.  Weidner  Los  Angeles,  Cal. 

Hyman  W.  Witcover  ,Savannah,  Ga. 

Daniel  M.  Hailey  ,  McAlester,  Okla. 

Trevanion  W.   Hugo  Duluth,  Minn. 

Francis  J.  Woodman  (33°  Hon.)  Grand  Tyler  Washington,  D.  C. 

William  L.  Boyden  (33°  Hon.).. ..Librarian  Washington,  D.  C. 

*After  the  manuscript  of  this  book  was  placed  in  the  hands  of  the 
printers,  James  D.  Richardson  departed  this  life,  leaving  the  office  of 
Grand  Commander  to  be  filled  pro  tern,  by  Lieutenant  Grand  Commander 
George  F.  Moore,  until  the  Supreme  Council  shall  elect  a  Grand  Com- 
mander. 


132  FEEEMASONEY— WHEN,  WHEEE,  HOW? 


ONLY  LEGAL  SUPREME  COUNCILS. 

The  Congress  of  Supreme  Councils,  which  met  in 
Washington,  D.  C,  October,  1913,  declared  the  following 
to  be  the  only  legitimate  Supreme  Councils  of  the  Scot- 
tish Rite  in  the  world: 

Southern  Jurisdiction  United  States,  Northern  Juris- 
diction United  States,  France,  Belgium,  Ireland,  Peru, 
England,  Scotland,  Cuba,  Mexico,  Santo  Domingo,  Portugal, 
Italy,  Argentine,  Brazil,  Colombia,  Central  America,  Chile, 
Uruguay,  Greece,  Switzerland,  Canada,  Paraguay,  Egypt, 
Spain,  Venezuela,  Turkey,  Ecuador,  and  Servia. 


ORDER  OF  THE  EASTERN  STAR. 


A  candidate,  on  entering  an  Eastern  Star  Chapter,  is 
informed  at  the  threshold  that  "The  Order  of  the  Eastern 
Star  exists  for  the  purpose  of  giving  practical  effect  to 
one  of  the  beneficent  purposes  of  Freemasonry,  which  is  to 
provide  for  the  welfare  of  the  wives,  daughters,  mothers, 
widows,  and  sisters  of  Master  Masons." 

The  candidate  is  later  told  that  "The  Eastern  Star, 
though  related  to  the  Masonic  Fraternity  by  the  dearest  ties 
yet  is  no  part  of  that  Ancient  Institution.  Here  the  wives, 
daughters,  mothers,  widows,  and  sisters  of  Masons  may 
become  eolaborers  with  the  great  brotherhood  in  the 
service  of  humanity.  That  while  she  is  not  eligible  to  the 
degrees  of  Freemasonry,  woman's  heart  beats  responsive 
to  the  same  inspiration  that  prompts  man  to  noble  deeds. 
She  hears  the  cry  of  the  orphan,  the  call  of  want,  and  the 
piteous  wail  of  sorrow.  She  honors  the  brotherhood  for 
its  noble  work,  and  seeks,  through  the  Eastern  Star,  to 
be  a  coworker;  tfo  pay  the  tribute  of  her  love  and  labor 
at  the  same  shrine,  and  be  able  to  make  herself  known 
throughout  the  domain  of  Masonry  as  being  entitled  to  its 
protection." 

With  a  declaration  like  that,  I  feel  justified,  yea, 
delighted,  in  giving  place  to  the  history  of  the  "Order  of 
the  Eastern  Star." 

WOMAN  COUNCILS. 

It  is  claimed  that  "Ladies'  Masonry,"  that  is  to  say,  a 
system  of  secret  degrees  for  the  gentler  sex,  was  estab- 
lished in  France  in  1730. 

In  1774,  the  Grand  Orient  of  France  took  the  order 
under  its  protecting  wing,  and  called  it  the  "Rite  of 
Adoption,"  and  gave  it  rules  and  regulations  for  its  gov- 
ernment. It  consisted  of  four  degrees;  the  first  or  Ap- 
prentice degree  was  preparatory  to  the  others.    The  second 


134  FBEEMASONKY— WHEN,  WHEBE,  HOW? 


degree  represented  in  its  ceremonies,  the  temptations  in  the 
Garden  of  Eden.  The  third  was  founded  on  the  build- 
ing of  the  Tower  of  Babel  and  the  confusion  of  tongues. 
The  fourth,  or  Perfect  Mistress  degree,  was  based  upon 
the  passage  of  the  children  of  Israel  through  the  Wilder- 
ness, and  symbolized  .the  passage  of  men  and  women 
through  this  world  to  a  better  one. 

The  French  Rite  never  came  to  this  country.  In  the 
early  part  of  the  Nineteenth  Century  certain  degrees  were 
conferred  upon  women,  by  reason  of  their  relation  to  Ma- 
sons. I  have  in  my  possession  an  old  book  entitled  "Ladies' 
Masonry/'  published  in  1851,  by  William  Leigh,  Past 
Grand  Master  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Alabama.  This  little 
book  gives  the  ceremonies  for  conferring  the  degree  of  the 
"Holy  Virgin"  on  the  female  relatives  of  Master  Masons 
and  the  ceremonies  for  conferring  the  degree  of  "Heroine 
of  Jericho  ■ '  on  the  female  relatives  of  Royal  Arch  Masons. 

In  the  preface  to  this  book,  it  is  said  "these  degrees 
have  been  conferred  on  Masons'  wives,  widows  and  daugh- 
ters, in  France,  Switzerland,  Italy,  and  Germany,  for  over 
three  hundred  years,  and  they  have  been  under  the  pro- 
tection of  the  Grand  Orient  of  France  and  other  Grand 
Lodges  of  Europe.  How  they  came  to  this  country  is 
unimportant.  They  are  here,  and  they  have  been  exten- 
sively conferred."  When  assembled  for  business  or  con- 
ferring the  degrees,  these  meetings  were  called 
"Councils." 

It  was  claimed  for  Robert  Morris,  the  celebrated 
Masonic  writer  and  poet,  that  he  composed  the  Eastern 
Star  degrees  in  1850.  This  claim  is  disputed  by  Brother 
Willis  D.  Engle,  in  his  history  of  the  Order  of  the  Eastern 
Star,  and  the  claim  is  also  negatived  by  the  fact  that 
Brother  Morris  commended  the  Ritual  issued  by  Brother 
Leigh  in  a  letter  dated  at  Louisville,  Ky.,  July  13,  1852,  in 
which  he  said,  "Your  book  and  lectures  on  ' Female  Ma- 
sonry' meets  my  hearty  approbation.  If  our  females  will 
take  advantage  of  the  plan,  and  our  brethren  will  unite 


OKDEB  OF  THE  EASTEKN  STAR 


135 


in  sustaining  it,  then  will  the  benefits  of  our  Order  accrue, 
as  they  ought  to  do,  to  those  who  possess  our  affections 
and  so  largely  control  our  destiny. ' '  Brother  Morris  made 
no  reference  to  any  other  Order  or  organization  for  the 
conferring  of  degrees  on  women.  I  doubt  if  he  had  any 
official  connection  with  any  other  order  at  that  time. 

CONSTELLATIONS. 

In  1855  Robert  Morris  inaugurated  a  system  of  Ladies' 
Degrees,  which  he  conferred  in  "Constellations."  The 
presiding  officer  was  called  * '  Luminary .' '  A  "Con- 
stellation" was  composed  of  five  or  more  of  each  sex.  By 
the  close  of  1855  charters  had  been  granted  for  seventy- 
five  Constellations,  one  of  which  was  "Evening  Star"  at 
Morristown,  Ark.  By  reason  of  a  disagreement  between 
Brother  Morris  and  other  leaders  of  the  Constellations, 
that  body  was  disrupted. 

FAMILIES. 

In  1860  Brother  Morris  transformed  "Constellations" 
into  a  new  system  called  "Eastern  Star  Families." 

I  have  in  my  possession,  by  the  kindness  of  Past  Grand 
Matron  Mrs.  Shelley  Sanderson,  the  "Manual  of  the  East- 
ern Star  Degree,"  published  in  1860.  The  instructions  in 
this  book  say  that  not  less  than  five  ladies  form  a  "Fam- 
ily." As  many  Master  Masons  may  attend  as  desire.  It 
consisted  of  only  one  degree. 

Another  section  of  the  instructions  says,  a  class  of  five 
or  more  ladies,  seconded  by  five  or  more  Master  Masons, 
if  regularly  organized,  is  styled  a  "Family,"  and  is  ex- 
pected to  hold  meetings  at  least  quarterly. 

While  it  consisted  of  only  one  degree,  yet  it  was  sub- 
divided into  five  sections  as  Jephthah's  Daughter,  Ruth, 
Esther,  Martha,  and  Electa. 

Arkansas  had  eleven  of  these  "Families."  Patrons 
were  appointed  by  the  Grand  Patron,    These  Patrons  were 


136  FREEMASONRY— WHEN,  WHERE,  HOW? 


authorized  to  confer  the  degrees  and  organize  "  Families. ' ' 
There  was  only  one  Grand  Patron,  who  was  the  Supreme 
Head  of  the  Order,  and  that  was  Robert  Morris. 

Patrons  were  appointed  in  Arkansas  in  1860,  as  fol- 
lows: Jefferson  Collier,  at  Centerville;  A.  B.  Williams, 
at  Washington  (Williams  was  a  prominent  lawyer)  ; 
George  M.  Holt,  M.  D.,  at  Benton;  A.  Lewis,  Clarks- 
ville;  D.  D.  Mason,  Dardanelle;  J.  M.  Moore,  Lewisburg; 
S.  C.  Clayton,  Napoleon;  B.  F,  M.  Barker,  Napoleon;  W. 
H.  Blackwell,  Perryville ;  A.  L.  Witherington,  Pigeon  Hill ; 
James  B.  Milner,  Seminary,  and  Rev.  J.  B.  Groves,  Tren- 
ton. J.  D.  Stockton,  of  Lewisburg,  Ark.,  was  a  Deputy 
Grand  Patron,  having  charge  of  the  Congressional  District 
m  which  he  resided. 

The  purpose  of  the  "Family"  was  declared  to  be  "to 
cultivate  a  social  spirit  amongst  the  ladies  and  gentlemen; 
to  relieve  the  distress  of  the  poor  and  desolate;  to  com- 
municate interesting  and  important  truths ;  and  to  brighten 
and  strengthen  the  golden  link  by  which  we  are  already 
bound  together  into  a  "Family  of  F.  A.  T.  A.  L's." 

0.  E.  S.  CHAPTERS. 

Brother  Morris  secured  the  cooperation  of  Robert 
Macoy,  of  New  York,  an  extensive  Masonic  book  publisher, 
in  perfecting  his  system  of  Masonry  for  women.  They 
changed  the  name  of  the  system  to  that  of  the  "Order  of 
the  Eastern  Star,"  and  in  1866  Brother  Macoy  arranged 
a  "Manual"  for  the  Order,  which  was  published  by  the 
Macoy  Publishing  Company. 

In  the  books  and  documents  sent  out  by  Macoy  and 
Morris,  Morris  was  styled  "Grand  Patron  of  the  Supreme 
Grand  Chapter' '  and  Macoy  as  "Grand  Secretary/ '  al- 
though no  Grand  or  Supreme  Body  had  been  organized. 

In  1868  Brother  Morris  concluded  to  devote  the  re- 
mainder of  his  life  to  explorations  in  the  Holy  Land,  and 
he  turned  over  to  Brother  Macoy  the  prerogatives  which 


OEDEE  OF  THE  EASTERN  STAE 


137 


he  had  assumed  as  the  head  of  the  Order  of  the  Eastern 
Star. 

After  reviewing  all  the  facts,  it  must  be  concluded 
that  Brother  Morris  did  not  originate  what  is  known  as 
"Adoptive  Masonry/'  or  "Ladies'  Degrees,"  but  on  re- 
ceiving them  by  communication,  he  set  to  work  and  with  a 
wise  plan,  reformed,  embellished,  and  adorned  the  system 
and  beautified  the  lectures  and  started  the  Order  toward 
systematic  organization.  Certainly  he  is  entitled  to  the 
credit  of  being  the  master  builder. 

Rob  Morris  was  born  near  Boston,  Mass.,  in  1818. 
Moved  to  Oxford,  Miss.,  where  he  was  "brought  to  Ma- 
sonic Light"  in  Oxford  Lodge  March  5,  1846.  At  that 
time  he  was  principal  of  the  Mount  Sylvan  Academy  near 
Oxford.  He  was  exalted  to  the  degree  of  Royal  Arch 
Mason  at  Lexington,  Miss.,  in  1848 ;  accepted  as  Royal  and 
Select  Master  in  1849;  made  a  Knight  Templar  at  Jack- 
son, Miss.,  in  1850;  and  received  the  Scottish  Rite  de- 
grees to  the  Thirty-second  degree  in  1854.  He  spent  the 
last  thirty-seven  years  of  his  life  at  LaGrange,  Ky.,  where 
he  died  July  31,  1888. 

GRAND  CHAPTERS. 

Brother  Macoy  continued  to  push  the  extension  of  the 
Ordey  of  the  Eastern  Star,  and  Chapters  formed  very  rap- 
idly throughout  the  country. 

Grand  Chapters  were  organized  in  order  as  follows: 

Michigan,  October  30,  1867;  New  Jersey,  July  18, 
1870 ;  New  York,  November  3,  1870 ;  Mississippi,  December 
15,  1870 ;  California,  May  9,  1873 ;  Vermont,  November  12, 
1873;  Indiana,  May  6,  1874;  Connecticut,  August  11, 
1874;  Nebraska,  June  22,  1875;  Illinois,  October  6,  1875; 
Missouri,  October  13,  1875;  Arkansas,  October  2,  1876;  and 
Kansas,  October  18,  1876. 

These  were  all  organized  prior  to  the  formation  of  the 
General  Grand  Chapter  November  15,  1876,  and  the  other 
States  were  organized  by  the  General  Grand  Chapter. 


138  FREEMASONRY— WHEN,  WHERE,  HOW? 


GENERAL  GRAND  CHAPTER. 

In  1875  dissatisfaction  developed  as  to  the  so-called 
"Supreme  Chapter/'  which  was  practically  controlled  by 
one  man — Brother  Macoy. 

The  demand  for  a  General  Grand  Chapter  was  led 
by  Brother  Willis  D.  Engle,  of  Indiana,  who  was  Grand 
Patron  of  Indiana,  and  afterward  (1910)  became  Grand 
Patron  of  the  General  Grand  Chapter.  The  agitation 
of  the  subject  resulted  in  a  meeting  on  November  15, 
1876,  at  Indianapolis,  of  eight  brothers  and  six  sisters, 
delegates  from  the  Grand  Chapters  of  Illinois  (1),  Missouri 
5  .  New  Jersey  (2),  California  (1),  and  Indiana  (5), 
for  the  purpose  of  forming  a  General  Grand  Chapter. 
John  M.  Mayhew  of  New  Jersey  was  chosen  President,  and 
John  R.  Parsons  of  Missouri,  Secretary  of  the  Convention. 
A  committee  of  one  from  each  jurisdiction,  of  which 
Willis  D.  Engle  was  chairman,  reported  a  form  of  Consti- 
tution, which  was  adopted  and  the  General  Grand  Chapter 
organized. 

A  committee  to  prepare  a  ritual  was  appointed  and 
the  Most  Worthy  Grand  Patron  was  authorized  to  issue 
dispensations  to  all  subordinate  Chapters  holding  char- 
ters purporting  to  emanate  from  a  Supreme  Grand  Chap- 
ter, upon  their  surrendering  the  same. 

The  Grand  Chapters  of  New  York,  Misissippi,  Ver- 
mont. Massachusetts,  Connecticut,  Kansas,  and  Nebraska, 
though  in  existence,  were  not  represented  in  the  formation 
of  the  General  Grand  Chapter. 

The  Order  at  that  time  numbered  228  Chapters,  and 
11,814  members.  In  addition  there  was  a  Grand  Lodge  of 
Adoptive  Masonry  in  Michigan,  numbering  22  Lodges,  and 
1.135  members,  which  organization  antedated  the  organi- 
zation of  the  first  Grand  Chapter  Order  of  the  Eastern 
Star  by  nearly  three  years. 


/ 


ORDER  OF  THE  EASTERN  STAR  139 


THE  LANDMARKS. 

The  following  were  adopted  by  the  convention-  as  the 
landmarks  of  the  Order: 

1.  A  belief  in  the  existence  of  a  Supreme  Being. 

2.  In  the  Order  of  the  Eastern  Star  there  are  only 
five  degrees:  Adah,  the  daughter;  Ruth,  the  widow; 
Esther,  the  wife;  Martha,  the  sister;  and  Electa,  the 
mother. 

3.  The  name  of  the  Order,  the  nature  of  the  degrees, 
and  modes  of  recognition  are  unchangeable. 

4.  Its  lessons  are  Scriptural,  its  teachings  moral,  and 
its  purpose  beneficent. 

5.  Its  obligations  are  based  upon  the  honor  of  those 
who  obtain  its  secrets  and  are  framed  upon  the  prin- 
ciple that  whatever  benefits  are  due  by  Masons  to  the 
wives,  daughters,  mothers,  widows,  and  sisters  of  Masons, 
reciprocal  duties  are  due  to  the  Brotherhood. 

6.  That  the  obligation  of  our  Order,  voluntarily 
assumed,  is  perpetual,  from  the  force  of  which  there  is  no 
release. 

7.  The  ballot,  for  candidates  for  the  degrees,  must 
be  unanimous,  without  debate,  and  kept  inviolably  secret. 

8.  The  degrees  cannot  be  conferred  unless  a  brother 
in  good  standing  shall  preside.  He  may  call  upon  the 
Worthy  Matron  to  assist  in  conferring  the  degrees. 

9.  Every  member  is  amenable  to  the  laws  of  the 
Order,  and  may  be  tried  for  offences,  either  by  the  Chap- 
ter to  which  the  member  belongs  or  by  the  Chapter  within 
whose  jurisdiction  the  member  resides. 

10.  The  right  of  every  member  to  appeal  from  the  de- 
cision of  a  Subordinate  Chapter  to  the  Grand  Chapter  or 
its  executive  head. 

11.  The  right  of  every  Chapter  to  decide,  from  among 
eligible  candidates,  who  shall  be  admitted  to  membership. 

12.  The  right  of  every  member  to  visit  any  regular 
Chapter,  unless  lawful  objection  is  made  to  such  visitor. 


140 


FREEMASONRY— WHEX,  WHERE,  HOW? 


The  second  meeting  of  the  General  Grand  Chapter 
was  held  in  Chicago,  May  8-10,  1878.  Seven  Grand  Chap- 
ters were  represented,  Kansas  and  Massachusetts  being 
present  in  addition  to  the  original  five.  Five  Chapters 
had  been  organized  and  five  Macoy  Chapters  had  exchanged 
their  charters. 

The  third  meeting  was  held  in  Chicago,  August  20-21, 
1880.  Eleven  Grand  Chapters  were  represented.  Robert 
Morris  was  present  and  was  made  an  honorary  member, 
and  his  birthday,  August  31,  was  made  the  festal  day  of 
the  Order.  The  Grand  Chapter  of  Arkansas  affiliated  with 
the  General  Grand  Chapter  at  this  session. 

Triennial  sessions  have  since  then  been  regularly  held. 

The  last  meeting  was  at  Chicago,  September  23-25, 
1913.  Representatives  from  the  Grand  Chapter  of  Arkan- 
sas were  Mrs.  Shelly  Sanderson,  Grand  Matron;  Mrs.  Mat- 
tie  R.  Johnson,  Associate  Grand  Matron;  J.  B.  Powers,  As- 
sociate Grand  Patron;  Mrs.  Julia  M.  Gill,  Past  Grand 
Matron;  Mrs.  Lucy  B.  Thornburgh,  Past  Grand  Matron; 
Mrs.  Maud  Fuson,  Past  Grand  Matron;  George  Thorn- 
burgh, Past  Grand  Patron;  Mark  P.  Olney,  Past  Grand 
Patron;  "W.  B.  Sexton,  Past  Grand  Patron;  J.  E.  Hollis, 
Past  Grand  Patron.  Mrs.  Lucy  B.  Thornburgh  was  pres- 
ent also  as  Worthy  Grand  Organist  of  the  General  Grand 
Chapter. 

Brother  Mark  P.  Olney,  Past  Grand  Patron  of  Arkan- 
sas, was  appointed  a  member  of  the  Committee  on  Ritual. 

Year  after  year,  Grand  Chapters  existing  prior  to  the 
General  Grand  Chapter  affiliated  with  the  General  Grand 
Chapter  and  new  Grand  Chapters  were  formed  by  the 
General  Grand  Chapter  until  at  the  present  time  all  the 
Grand  Chapters  in  the  world  are  affiliated  with  the  General 
Grand  Chapter  with  the  exception  of  New  York,  New  Jer- 
sey, and  Scotland. 

The  General  Grand  Chapter  has  no  limit  as  to  territo- 
rial jurisdiction.  It  is  the  1 1  General  Grand  Chapter,  Order 
of  the  Eastern  Star."    There  is  no  other  General  Grand 


OEDEE  OF  THE  EASTEEN  STAE 


141 


Chapter  in  the  world,  and  no  legal  Eastern  Star  Chapters 
except  those  established  by  the  General  Grand  Chapter  or 
by  some  Grand  Chapter  under  the  General  Grand  Chapter. 

OKLAHOMA. 

There  was  a  Grand  Chapter  in  Indian  Territory  and 
one  in  Oklahoma  Territory.  By  reason  of  the  admission 
of  both  these  territories  into  the  Union  as  one  State  (Okla- 
homa), it  was  thought  proper  to  unite  the  two  Grand  Chap- 
ters. 

As  it  was  my  desire  to  attend  the  union  of  the  Grand 
Lodges  of  Indian  Territory  and  Oklahoma  Territory  into 
one  body,  and  as  the  two  Grand  Chapters  Order  of  the 
Eastern  Star  were  to  unite  at  the  same  time,  accompanied 
by  Mrs.  Thornburgh,  I  attended  the  union  of  the  Grand 
Lodges  and  Grand  Chapters. 

This  very  interesting  ceremony  took  place  at  Guthrie, 
Okla.  On  the  morning  of  February  11,  1909,  the  Okla- 
homa Grand  Chapter  met  in  one  room  of  the  beautiful 
Scottish  Rite  Temple,  and  the  Grand  Chapter  of  Indian 
Territory  met  in  another  room  of  the  same  building,  to 
finish  up  the  detail  work  preparatory  to  the  union. 

Late  in  the  afternoon,  Oklahoma  Grand  Chapter  as- 
sembled in  the  Grand  Lodge  room,  reserving  all  of  one  side 
for  the  seating  of  the  Grand  Chapter  of  Indian  Territory. 
A  message  was  sent  to  the  Grand  Chapter  of  Indian  Terri- 
tory, by  the  Grand  Secretary  of  Oklahoma,  Mrs.  Kitty  Lee 
McLain,  that  all  was  in  readiness  for  their  reception. 

It  was  an  unusual  and  very  inspiring  scene,  when  it 
was  announced  at  the  door  that  the  entire  Grand  Chapter 
of  Indian  Territory  desired  admission.  They  were  ad- 
mitted, two  and  two,  to  the  soft  strains  of  Tannhauser 
March.  Just  before  taking  their  seats,  Sister  McBryde, 
Grand  Secretary  of  the  Grand  Chapter  of  Indian  Territory, 
in  a  very  happy  manner  said : 


142  FKEEMASONKY— WHEN,  WHERE,  HOW? 


"  Grand  Matron  and  Grand  Patron  of  Oklahoma,  I 
present  to  you  the  Grand  Chapter  of  Indian  Territory,  the 
mother  coming  to  make  her  home  with  the  daughter.  We 
hope  by  this  coming  together  of  mother  and  daughter  to 
make  a  united  home  of  which  every  Mason  or  Eastern  Star 
brother  and  sister  will  be  proud. 9 1 

The  Grand  Matron  and  Grand  Patron  of  Oklahoma 
gave  cordial  words  of  greeting.  Sister  "Washburn,  Most 
Worthy  Grand  Matron,  and  Sister  Pipkin,  Right  Worthy 
Grand  Secretary,  of  the  General  Grand  Chapter,  were 
present  and  congratulated  the  sisters  and  brothers  on  the 
consummation  of  the  union.  The  united  Grand  Chapter 
numbered,  at  its  first  meeting,  405  delegates. 

SCOTLAND. 

The  Order  of  the  Eastern  Star,  having  been  planted 
by  the  General  Grand  Chapter  in  Scotland  and  much  in- 
terest manifested  in  that  country  in  the  Order,  and  a  Grand 
Chapter  having  been  organized,  they  desired  to  have  spe- 
cial jurisdiction;  and  in  1904  a  1 1 Concordat' '  was  entered 
into  between  the  General  Grand  Chapter  and  the  Grand 
Chapter  of  Scotland,  in  which  jurisdiction  was  given  the 
Grand  Chapter  of  Scotland  over  the  British  Empire  (ex- 
cept on  the  continent  of  America).  A  serious  difference 
has  arisen  as  to  the  wording  of  that  6  6  Concordat. ' '  The 
Grand  Chapter  of  Scotland  claims  that  the  Grand  Chapter 
of  Scotland  was  elevated  to  the  dignity  of  a  Supreme  Chap- 
ter and  its  jurisdiction  extended  to  the  British  Empire, 
and  all  colonies  and  dependencies  thereof,  with  the  excep- 
tion of  North  America.  The  General  Grand  Chapter  de- 
nies that  they  were  granted  jurisdiction  over  any  part  of 
America,  or  that  the  Grand  Chapter  of  Scotland  was  made 
a  1 ' Supreme' '  Chapter.  Unfortunately,  the  original  " Con- 
cordat' '  cannot  be  found.  The  matter  was  placed  in  the 
hands  of  a  committee,  at  the  session  of  the  General  Grand 
Chapter  of  1913,  for  thorough  investigation,  and  if  pos- 


ORDER  OF  THE  EASTERN  STAR 


143 


sible,  amicable  settlement  with  the  Grand  Chapter  of  Scot- 
land. GRAND  CHAPTERS  AND  DATE  ORGANIZED. 

Grand  Chapters  Organized 

Michigan  ,  October  31,  1867 

California  May  8,  1873  ' 

Vermont  November  12,  1873 

Indiana  May  6,  1874 

Connecticut  '.  August  11,  1874. 

Nebraska  June  22,  1875 

Missouri  ,  October  13,  1875 

Illinois  v  ,  November  6,  1875 

Arkansas  October  2,  1876 

Massachusetts  .,.  _  December  11,  1876 

Iowa  July  30,  1878 

Kansas  October  18,  1878 

Minnesota  October  18,  1878 

Texas  ,  May  5,  1884 

Washington  June  12,  1889 

South  Dakota  July  10,  1889 

Ohio....r  +  July  28,  1889 

Oregon  October  3,  1889 

Montana  r  September  25,  1890 

Wisconsin  r  February  19,  1891 

New   Hampshire  May  12,  1891 

Colorado  ,  June  6,  1892 

Maine  August  24,  1892 

North   Dakota  ,  June  14,  1894 

Pennsylvania  November  21,  1894 

Rhode   Island  r  August  22,  1895 

District   of   Columbia  April  30,  1896 

Wyoming  ,  k  September  14,  1898 

Maryland  December  23,  1898 

Louisiana  r  October  4,  1900 

Tennessee  October  18,  1900 

Arizona  November  15,  1900 

Georgia  \  ^  .....February  21,  1901 

Alabama  March  6,  1901 

Oklahoma  February  14,  1902 

New  Mexico....,  ,  April  11,  1902 

Idaho  April  17,  1902 

Kentucky  ,  June  10,  1903 

Florida  ,  ^  June  7,  1904 

Virginia  June  22,  1904 

West  Virginia  ,  June  28,  1904 

North  Carolina  May  20,  1905 

Nevada  ,  September  19,  1905 

Utah  September  20,  1905 

Mississippi  ,  ^.....May  29,  1906 

South  Carolina  ,  June  1,  1907 

Alberta  July  20,  1912 

British  Columbia  July  21,  1912 

Porto  Rico  February  17,  1914 

There  are  also  subordinate  Chapters  under  the  imme- 
diate jurisdiction  of  the  General  Grand  Chapter,  as  fol- 
lows: 

In  Alaska,  7;  Panama,  1;  Hawaiian  Islands,  4;  Phil- 
ippine Islands,  1;  Manitoba,  2;  New  Brunswick,  3;  Onta- 
rio, 14;  Quebec,  4;  Saskatchewan,  5;  Yukon,  1;  Cuba,  1. 


144 


FREEMASONRY— WHEN,  WHERE,  HOW? 


The  statistics  of  the  Order,  reported  in  1913,  are  as 
follows : 


33  Chapters  under  the  immediate  jurisdiction 
of  the  General  Grand  Chapter  with  mem- 
bership of   2,029 

6,971  Chapters  in  48  Grand  Chapters  connected 
with  the   General   Grand   Chapter  with 

membership  of  604,814 

577  Chapters  in  New  Jersey,  New  York,  and  Scot- 
land, with  membership  of   58,403 


7,581  Chapters  with  total  membership  of  665,246 

In  addition  to  the  States,  Grand  Chapters  have  been 
organized  in  Alberta,  British  Columbia,  and  Porto  Rico. 

Those  who  have  been  chosen  Most  "Worthy  Grand  Mat- 
rons of  the  General  Grand  Chapter  are : 


1876  Mrs.   Elizabeth   Butler  Chicago,  111. 

1878  Mrs.  Elmira  Foley  Hannibal,  Mo. 

1880  Mrs.  Lorraine  J.  Pitkin  Chicago,  HI. 

1883  Mrs.  Jennie  E.  Mathews  Rockford,  Iowa 

1886  Mrs.   Mary  A.   Flint  San  Juan,  Cal. 

1889  Mrs.    Nettie    Ransford  Indianapolis,  Ind. 

1892  Mrs.   Mary  C.    Snedden  Wichita,  Kas. 

1895  Mrs.  Mary  E.  Partridge  Oakland,  Cal. 

1898  Mrs.  Hattie  E.  Ewing  Orange,  Mass. 

1901  Mrs.  Laura  B.  Hart  San  Antonio,  Texas 

1904  Mrs.  Madeleine  B.   Conkling....,  Checotah.  Okla. 

1907  Mrs.  Ella  S.  Washburn  ,  Racine,  Wis. 

1910  Mrs.  M.  Alice  Miller  El  Reno.  Okla. 

1913  Mrs.  Rata  A.  Mills...,  Duke  Center,  Fa. 

Those  who  have  been  chosen  most  Most  Worthy  Grand 
Patrons  of  the  General  Grand  Chapter  are : 

1876  Rev.  John  D.  Vincil  St.  Louis,  Mo. 

1878  Thomas  B.  Lamb  ......Worcester,  Mass. 

1880  Willis   Brown  _  Sennaca,  Kan. 

1883  Roland   C.    Gaskill  ....Oakland,  Cal. 

1886  Jefferson  S.  Conover  Coldwater,  Mich. 

1889  Benjamin    Lynds  .....St.  Louis,  Mo. 

1892  James   R.    Donnell  Conway,  Ark. 

1895  H.  Harrison  Hinds  Stanton,  Mich. 

1898  Nathaniel  A.  Gearhart  Duluth,  Minn. 

1901  L.    Cabell    Williamson  Washington,  D.  C. 

1904  William  F.  Kuhn  Kansas  City,  Mo. 

1907  William  H.  Norris  Manchester,  Iowa. 

1910  Rev.   Willis  D.   Engle  Indianapolis,  Ind. 

1913  George    A.    Pettigrew  Sioux  Falls,  S.  D. 


THE  MYSTIC  SHRINE. 

It  should  be  fully  understood  that  while  the  Order  of 
the  Mystic  Shrine  is  made  up  of  Knights  Templar  and 
Scottish  Rite  Masons,  yet  it  makes  no  claim  to  being  Ma- 
sonic or  having  any  connection  with  Freemasonry.  Those 
who  brought  the  Order  to  this  country  had  only  one  motive 
in  view  in  requiring  that  petitioners  shall  be  Masons,  and 
that  was  to  insure  a  select  class  of  men  to  compose  its  mem- 
bership. The  Shrine  was  introduced  to  provide  a  play- 
day  for  men.  As  grown-up  boys,  men  need  recreation, 
and  the  cleaner  it  be,  the  better.  Who  does  not  feel  hap- 
pier and  whose  heart  is  not  lighter  after  engaging  in  whole- 
some recreation  that  produces  a  hearty  laugh.  However, 
the  Shrine  is  not  all  play,  for  it  teaches  a  most  beautiful 
and  impressive  lesson.  That  it  is  composed  solely  of  Ma- 
sons is  the  justification  for  a  brief  chapter  in  regard  to  it 
in  this  history. 

It  is  claimed  that  the  Order  of  the  Nobles  of  the  Mystic 
Shrine  was  established  at  Mecca,  Arabia,  in  the  year  5459 
(in  the  year  of  our  Lord  1608). 

The  Ritual  was  compiled,  arranged,  and  issued  at 
Aleppo,  Arabia,  by  Louis  Marracci,  the  great  Latin  trans- 
lator of  Mohammed's  Al  Koran. 

The  Order  was  revived  and  instituted  at  Cairo,  Egypt, 
in  5598  (equivalent  to  June  14,  1837). 

This  Order  was  primarily  instituted  for  the  purpose  of 
promoting  the  organization  and  perfection  of  an  Arabian 
and  Egyptian  inquisition,  or  vigilance  committee,  to  dis- 
pense justice  and  execute  punishments  upon  criminals 
whom  the  tardy  law  did  not  reach  to  the  measure  of  their 
crime. 

Being  designed  to  embrace  the  entire  pale  of  the  law, 
and  composed  of  the  sterling  men  of  the  day,  who  would 
fearlessly  try,  judge,  and  if  convicted,  execute  the  crim- 
inals within  the  hour,  leaving  no  trace  of  their  action  be- 


146  FREEMASONRY— WHEN,  WHERE,  HOW? 


hind,  the  organization  was  perfected  and  carried  into  exe- 
cution with  startling  results. 

Temples  were  also  instituted  in  various  cities  through- 
out Europe,  some  years  ago.  Although  possessing  all  the 
powers  of  the  inquisition,  if  required,  they  now  thrive  as 
charitable  and  social  organizations. 

In  1871,  the  Ritual  was  brought  to  America  by  a  rep- 
resentative, with  instructions  to  place  it  only  in  the  hands 
of  high-grade  Masons,  owing,  it  is  stated,  to  the  fact  that 
Masons  were  regarded  as  a  choice  of  the  best  men  of  the 
land,  and  having  already  passed  the  ordeal  of  obligation. 

Obeying  this  instruction,  the  Ritual  was  placed  in  the 
hands  of  Dr.  Walter  M.  Fleming,  33°,  Eminent  Commander 
of  Columbian  Commandery  No.  1,  Knights  Templar,  of 
New  York  City,  who  in  conjunction  with  Illustrious  Wil- 
liam J.  Florence,  33°,  previously  created  a  Noble  of  the 
Order  at  Aleppo,  was  given  absolute  authority  in  America. 
In  their  hands  for  some  time  it  lay  dormant. 

Dr.  Fleming,  with  William  J.  Florence,  Edward  Eddy, 
S.  C.  Campbell,  Oswald  Merie  D'Aubigne,  G.  W.  Miller, 
John  A.  Moore,  William  S.  Patterson,  John  W.  Simons, 
Albert  P.  Moriarty,  James  S.  Chappel,  and  Charles  T. 
McClenehan,  all  Thirty-thirds,  and  nearly  all  Knights  Tem- 
plar, instituted  Mecca  Temple  September  26,  1872. 

Brother  Fleming  was  unanimously  chosen  for  its  pre- 
siding officer,  namely,  Illustrious  Potentate.  Owing  to  the 
death  of  four  of  the  original  organizers,  and  the  apathy 
and  neglect  of  the  others,  Mecca  Temple  No.  1  remained 
inactive  until  December,  1875,  when  W.  J.  Florence  came 
from  Europe,  bringing  with  him  the  Oriental  Ritual  of  the 
Order,  as  it  was  worked  in  foreign  countries.  In  1876, 
W.  J.  Florence  called  together  such  of  the  original  mem- 
bers of  the  organization  of  1872  as  were  living,  and  consti- 
tuted Mecca  Temple  No.  1,  as  the  head  of  the  Order  in 
America.  A  committee,  with  W.  J.  Florence  as  chairman, 
was  appointed  to  draft  a  Constitution  and  Ritual  for  the 
Order  in  America,  which  Constitution  was  on  the  6th  day  of 


THE  MYSTIC  SHEINE 


147 


June,  1876,  adopted  in  due  form  and  the  Imperial  Council 
of  the  United  States  was  formed. 

It  was  decided  by  the  proper  authorities  to  make  a 
Knight  Templar  or  a  Thirty-second  degree  Ancient  and 
Accepted  Scottish  Rite  Mason  the  prerequisite  for  mem- 
bership in  America;  and  to  make  it  a  charitable  and  social 
organization,  which  was  ratified  at  the  organization  of  the 
Imperial  Council. 

At  that  time  the  fee  for  initiation  was  placed  at  ten 
dollars  as  the  minimum  sum,  and  dues  in  the  subordinate 
bodies  at  not  less  than  two  dollars  annually.  Only  one 
negative  vote,  or  black  bean,  was  required  to  reject  a 
candidate. 

The  records  show  that  the  first  badge  was  made  of  a 
pair  of  tiger  claws,  united  by  a  gold  band,  forming  a  cres- 
cent and  suspended  from  a  gold  bar.  This  was  afterward 
changed  to  the  present  badge. 

In  1888  the  name  of  the  Imperial  Council  was  changed 
by  substituting  " North  America"  for  "United  States,"  so 
that  the  legal  name  is  "Imperial  Council,  Ancient  Arabic 
Order  Nobles  Mystic  Shrine  for  North  America. 9 1 

An  edict  of  the  Imperial  Council  makes  it  obligatory 
that  the  name  of  each  Temple  shall  have  an  Arabic  or 
Egyptian  significance.  For  instance,  Al  Amin  is  the  name 
by  which  Mohammed  was  known  by  his  followers,  and  sig- 
nifies "the  faithful  one." 

The  membership  of  the  Shrine  is  now  over  two  hun- 
dred thousand  in  North  America. 


POETS  LAUREATE. 

There  have  been  three  Poets  Laureate  of  Freemasonry, 
to  wit: 

Robert  Burns,  first  Poet  Laureate,  was  crowned  such 
at  Edinburgh,  April  1,  1787.  His  best-known  poem  is  "A 
Man 's  a  Man  for  All  That."  His  only  Masonic  poem  is 
"A  Farewell  to  Tarbolton  Lodge."  He  died  July  21,  1796. 

Robert  Morris,  second  Poet  Laureate,  was  crowned  in 
New  York  City,  1884.  His  best-known  poem  is  i '  The  Level 
and  the  Square."  His  poetical  writings  were  mainly  on 
Masonic  subjects,  of  which  a  large  volume  has  been  col- 
lated.   He  died  at  LaGrange,  Ky.,  July  31,  1888. 

Fay  Hempstead,  third  Poet  Laureate,  was  crowned  in 
Chicago,  October  5,  1908,  under  the  auspices  of  Ravens- 
wood  Lodge  No.  777.  His  best-known  poems  are  "Sexten- 
nial,"  and  the  one  on  presenting  a  Lambskin  Apron. 

He  was  born  in  Little  Rock,  November  24,  1847.  He 
is  the  oldest  Grand  Secretary  in  the  United  States,  having 
been  elected  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Arkansas,  November, 
1881,  and  regularly  ever  since.  He  is  also  a  33°  Hon. 
Scottish  Rite  Mason. 


POETS  LAUREATE 


149 


MASONIC  FAREWELL. 
By  Robert  Burns. 

Adieu;  a  heart-warm  fond  adieu; 

Dear  brothers  of  the  mystic  tie, 
Ye  favour 'd,  ye  enlighten 'd  few, 

Companions  of  my  social  joy! 
Though  I  to  foreign  lands  must  hie, 

Pursuing  fortune's  slidd'ry  ba', 
With  melting  heart,  and  brimful  eye, 

I'll  mind  you  still  though  far  awa\ 

Oft  have  I  met  your  social  band, 

And  spent  the  cheerful  festive  night; 
Oft,  honour 'd  with  supreme  command, 

Presided  o'er  the  sons  of  light; 
And  by  that  hieroglyphic  bright, 

Which  none  but  Craftsmen  ever  saw! 
Strong  Mem'ry  on  my  heart  shall  write 

Those  happy  scenes,  when  far  awa\ 

May  freedom,  harmony,  and  love, 

Unite  you  in  the  grand  design, 
Beneath  the  Omniscient  eye  above, 

The  glorious  architect  divine ! 
That  you  may  keep  the  unerring  line, 

Still  rising  by  the  plummet's  law, 
Till  order  bright  completely  shine, 

Shall  be  my  prayer  when  far  awa\ 

And  you,  farewell,  whose  merits  claim, 

Justly,  the  highest  badge  to  wear! 
Heaven  bless  your  honour 'd,  noble  name 

To  Masonry  and  Scotia  dear! 
A  last  request  permit  me  here, 

When  yearly  ye  assemble  a', 
One  round,  I  ask  it  with  a  tear. 

To  him,  the  bard,  that's  far  away'. 


150  FREEMAiSONRY — WHEN,  WHERE,  HOW? 


THE  LEVEL  AND  THE  SQUARE. 

By  Rob  Morris. 

We  meet  upon  the  Level,  and  we  part  upon  the  Square; 
What  words  of  precious  meaning  these  words  Masonic  are ! 
They  fall  like  strains  of  melody  upon  our  listening  ears, 
As  they've  sounded  Hallelujahs  to  the  world  three  thou- 
sand years. 

We  meet  upon  the  Level,  though  from  every  station 
brought— 

The  monarch  from  his  palace  and  the  peasant  from  his  cot ; 
For  the  king  must  drop  his  dignity,  when  knocking  at  our 
door, 

And  the  peasant  is  his  equal  as  he  treads  the  Checkered 
Floor. 

We  act  upon  the  Plumb — <'tis  the  order  of  our  Guide, 
Upright  we  walk  in  virtue's  way  and  lean  to  neither  side; 
To  the  All-seeing  Eye  above,  this  truth  is  clearly  shown, 
That  we  will  still  try  to  honor  God  and  give  each  man  his 
own. 

We  part  upon  the  Square,  for  the  world  must  have  its  due, 
We  mingle  with  the  multitude,  a  faithful  band  and  true, 
But  the  influence  of  our  gatherings  in  memory  is  green, 
And  we  long  upon  the  Level  to  rene^v  the  happy  scene. 

There's  a  World  where  all  are  equal — we  are  hurrying 
toward  it  fast, 

We  shall  meet  upon  the  Level  there,  when  the  gates  of 

death  are  passed; 
We  shall  stand  before  the  Orient,  and  our  Master  will  be 

there, 

Our  works  to  try,  our  lives  to  prove,  by  His  own  unerring 
Square. 


POETS  LAUREATE 


151 


When  we  meet  upon  the  Level  there  we  never  shall  depart ; 
There's  a  mansion — -'tis  all  ready  for  each  trusting,  faith- 
ful heart ; 

And  an  everlasting  welcome  from  the  host  rejoicing  there, 
Who  have  met  upon  the  Level  and  been  tried  upon  the 
Square. 

Let  us  meet  upon  the  Level,  while  laboring  patient  here, 
Let  us  meet  and  let  us  labor,  though  the  labor  is  severe; 
Look,  in  the  West  the  evening  shadows  bid  us  quick  prepare 
To  gather  up  our  working  tools  and  part  upon  the  Square. 

Hands  round,  then,  faithful  Brotherhood,  join  ;in  the 
golden  chain; 

We  part  upon  the  Square  below,  to  meet  in  heaven  again; 
Each  link  that  has  been  broken  here,  shall  be  united  there, 
And  none  be  lost  around  the  throne  who've  acted  on  the 
Square. 

SEXTENNIAL. 

By  Fay  Hempstead. 

Is  it  the  lees  of  Life,  and  nothing  more, 

When  the  years  have  come  to  the  triple  score? 

Is  it  only  the  close  of  a  Winter's  day, 

Where  the  sunshine  fades  in  the  West  away? 

Is  it  only  the  tip  of  the  mountain  crest, 

Where  the  lingering  rays  of  the  sunlight  rest ; 

And  where,  through  the  mists  of  the  Past  are  seen 

The  ghosts  of  the  joys  that  once  have  been; 

While  down  in  the  valley,  far  below, 

Lie  the  graves  of  the  things  of  Long  Ago? 


152 


FREEMASONKY— WHEN,  WHERE,  HOW? 


Nay,  nay.    Not  that.    For  he  who  holds 
By  the  simple  faith  that  the  World  enfolds, 
Finds,  unto  Life's  last  feeblest  spark, 
That  the  daylight  far  exceeds  the  dark; 
More  days  of  brightness  than  days  of  gray; 
That  the  Spring  gives  place,  in  its  varying  moods, 
To  the  mellowing  tints  of  the  Autumn  woods; 
And  stars  come  out  in  the  evening  air, 
Which  we  fail  to  see  in  the  noonday  glare. 

And  here,  as  I  backward  turn  mine  eye, 
O'er  the  faded  days  that  behind  me  lie, 
How  like  a  flitting  glimpse  appears, 
The  vista  made  by  these  sixty  years! 
Gone;  and  forever.    Beyond  recall. 
Each  deed  of  itself  to  stand  or  fall, 
In  the  eyes  of  Him  who  judgeth  all. 
But  yet  we  cling  to  the  firmer  hope, 
That  each  will  be  seen  in  its  wider  scope ; 
And  out  of  His  mercy  we  be  hailed 
With  large  allowance  where  we  failed. 

As  the  day  dies  out  with  a  golden  gleam, 
And  the  red  West  glows  with  its  parting  beam, 
So  would  I,  friends,  when  it  comes  my  lot, 
Wish  to  depart  thus  calmly,  and  not 
As  the  Old  Year  passes,  sad  and  slow, 
Wrapped  in  the  shroud  of  the  Winter's  snow, 
But  the  rather  in  twilight,  fair  and  clear, 
Where  the  quivering  discs  of  the  stars  appear. 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


George  Washington  was  born  at  Mount  Vernon,  Va. ; 
February  22,  1732.  He  was  made  a  Mason  in  Fredericks- 
burg Lodge,  Virginia;  was  initiated  November  4,  1752,  at 
the  age  of  twenty  years;  passed  March  3,  1753,  and  raised 
August  4,  1753. 

During  the  Revolutionary  War  he  was  a  frequent 
attendant  at  military  Lodges.  In  1777  he  was  offered  the 
position  of  Grand  Master  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Virginia, 
but  declined  on  account  of  his  service  in  the  war  pre- 
venting his  performing  the  duties  of  the  office. 

He  transferred  his  membership  from  Fredericksburg 
to  Alexandria  Lodge  No.  39  at  Alexandria,  Va.,  which  was 
working  under  a  charter  from  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Penn- 
sylvania. In  1788,  this  Lodge  surrendered  its  charter  to 
the  Grand  Lodge  of  Pennsylvania,  and  took  a  dispensation 
as  a  new  Lodge  under  the  jurisdiction  of  the  Grand  Lodge 
of  Virginia.  Washington  was  appointed  Master,  and  when 
the  charter  was  granted,  Washington  was  elected  Master  of 
the  Lodge.  The  Lodge  is  still  working  under  the  charter 
granted  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Virginia  to  Washington  as 
Master.  In  1805,  this  Lodge  was  granted  permission  by 
the  Grand  Lodge  of  Virginia  to  change  its  name  to  that 
of  Alexandria-Washington  Lodge,  in  honor  of  George  Wash- 
ington, its  first  Master.  It  is  No.  22  on  the  Virginia  Grand 
Lodge  roll. 

There  is  ample  evidence  that  Washington  was  punctual 
in  his  attendance  and  faithful  to  every  duty  as  Master 
of  his  Lodge.  Later  he  delivered  several  addresses  on 
Masonic  subjects  and  wrote  letters  to  various  Grand  Lodges 
in  response  to  resolutions.  As  late  as  1797,  replying  to  an 
address  from  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Massachusetts,  he  said: 
"My  attachment  to  the  Society  of  which  we  are  members, 
will  dispose  me  always  to  contribute  my  best  endeavors 
to  promote  the  honor  and  prosperity  of  the  Craft/ '  Re- 
plying to  an  address  from  the  Grand  Lodge  of  South 


154  EBEEMASONKY— WHEN",  WHERE,  HOW? 


Carolina,  a  few  years  before,  he  said:  "I  recognize  with 
pleasure  my  relations  to  the  brethren  and  I  shall  be  happy 
on  every  occasion  to  evince  my  regard  for  the  Fraternity." 
In  a  letter  to  St.  David's  Lodge  at  Newport,  R.  L,  he  said: 
66  Being  persuaded  that  a  just  application  of  the  prin- 
ciples on  which  the  Masonic  Fraternity  is  founded,  must 
be  promotive  of  private  virtue  and  public  prosperity,  I 
shall  always  be  happy  to  advance  the  interests  of  the  So- 
ciety and  to  be  considered  as  a  deserving  brother. ' ' 

Washington  died  at  Mount  Vernon,  December  14,  1799, 
and  was  buried  there  with  Masonic  honors.  The  pall- 
bearers were  all  Revolutionary  officers  of  high  standing, 
and  all  members  of  Alexandria  Lodge  except  one. 

February  22  is  a  notable  Masonic  as  well  as  patriotic 
day.  It  is  the  anniversary  of  the  birth  of  a  great  patriot 
and  a  great  Mason. 

Around  Washington  shone  other  lights.  Franklin,  the 
scholar  and  patriot;  Warren,  the  soldier,  Grand  Master, 
who  died  at  Bunker  Hill,  loved  and  lamented;  Lafayette, 
Greene,  Marshall,  Randolph,  and  others,  noted  Generals, 
were  his  Masonic  associates. 

Alexandria-Washington  Lodge,  of  which  Washington 
was  Master,  is  now  in  a  very  prosperous  condition,  having 
more  than  300  members.  It  was  my  pleasure,  on  June 
16,  1903,  to  visit  Mount  Vernon,  the  home  of  Washington, 
and  his  tomb.  The  house  in  which  he  died  remains  intact, 
and  furnished  substantially  as  when  he  lived  in  it.  I  also 
visited  Alexandria-Washington  Lodge  and  was  pleased  to 
look  upon  the  many  objects  of  interest  in  the  Lodge  and 
to  sit  in  the  chair  Washington  occupied  as  Worshipful 
Master  of  the  Lodge. 

There  are  many  relics  preserved  in  this  Lodge,  in- 
closed in  glass  cases,  among  them,  the  Masonic  apron  made 
by  the  wife  of  General  Lafayette  and  worn  by  Washington 
when  he  laid  the  corner-stone  of  the  National  Capitol. 
This  apron  has  been  worn  only  a  few  times  since  Wash- 
ington's death;  one  notable  occasion  was  on  the  visit  of 


GEOBGE  WASHINGTON 


155 


General  Lafayette,  who  was  a  Mason,  to  the  Lodge,  Feb- 
ruary 21,  1825.  An  interesting  relic  is  the  knife  which 
was  a  present  to  Washington  from  his  mother,  when  he 
was  a  boy.  It  is  said  that  she  gave  it  to  him  as  an  expres- 
sion of  her  appreciation  of  his  giving  up  his  purpose  to 
be  a  seaman,  in  deference  to  her  earnest  protest.  One  of  the 
most  prized  relics  of  Washington  as  a  Mason  is  a  little 
trowel,  used  by  him  when  President  of  the  United  States 
at  the  laying  of  the  corner-stone  of  the  National  Capitol, 
September  18,  1793.  Washington  acted  as  Grand  Master. 
The  last  important  occasion  on  which  this  little  trowel  was 
used,  was  at  the  laying  of  the  corner-stone  of  the  Masonic 
Temple  in  Washington  City,  by  the  Grand  Master  of  the 
District  of  Columbia  and  by  President  Roosevelt,  who  is 
a  Mason. 


ALBERT  PIKE. 


This  country  has  produced  no  more  noted  Mason  or 
picturesque  character  than  Albert  Pike.  He  was  a  giant 
in  body,  brain,  and  heart.  He  stood  six  feet,  two  inches 
tall,  and  was  splendidly  proportioned.  His  long,  wavy 
hair  flowed  down  his  shoulders  most  strikingly. 

He  was  born  at  Boston,  Mass.,  December  29,  1809. 
He  was  partly  educated  at  Harvard,  continuing  thereafter 
as  a  student  and  a  teacher.  In  early  manhood  he  roamed 
through  New  Mexico  and  Texas,  to  Port  Smith,  Ark., 
where  he  taught  school  and  wrote  for  newspapers.  Later 
he  went  to  Little  Rock  as  editor  of  a  Whig  paper.  He 
studied  law  and  was  licensed  to  practice  in  1834.  He  was 
the  Captain  of  a  company  in  the  Mexican  War  in  1846,  and 
served  with  distinction.  In  1852  he  removed  to  New  Or- 
leans and  engaged  in  the  practice  of  law.  He  spent  1855 
and  1856  in  Washington  City.  In  1857,  he  resumed  the 
practice  in  Arkansas. 

When  the  war  between  the  States  broke  out  (1861), 
he  tendered  his  services  to  the  .Confederacy  and  was  ap- 
pointed Commander  of  the  Indian  Department,  with  the 
rank  of  Brigadier  General.  He  influenced  the  Indians  to 
take  the  side  of  the  South. 

In  1864,  he  resigned  his  commission  in  the  Confed- 
erate Army  to  accept  a  place  on  the  bench  of  the  Arkansas 
Supreme  Court. 

At  the  close  of  the  war,  after  spending  some  time  in 
Canada,  he  located  at  Memphis,  where  he  spent  two  years 
practicing  law  and  editing  the  Memphis  Appeal. 

In  1868  he  removed  to  Washington,  D.  C,  where  he 
spent  the  remaining  thirty-three  years  of  his  life,  most  of 
which  he  devoted  almost  exclusively  to  propagating  Scot- 
tish Rite  Masonry. 

Brother  Pike  wrote  many  poems  of  merit.  His  fav- 
orite was  4 1  Every  Year, 9  9  which  appears  in  this  history. 


Every  Year. 

Life  is  a  count  of  losses, 
Every  year* 
For  the  weak  are  heavier  CT0551 

Every  year? 
Jost  Springs  with  s°bs  replying 
Unto  Weary  Autumns  sighing, 
While  those  we  love  are  dvin£, 
Every  year, 

The  days  have  less  «f  gladness. 

Every  vear* 
The  nights  m»re  weignt  of  sadne 

Every  yeari 
Fair  Springs  no  longer  charm  us. 
The  winds  and  weather  harm  us, 
The  threats  of  death  alarm  us. 
Every  year. 


You  ar  e  gi 
'You  are  more  a 


us, 

an 
»y  tell  us, 
"  Every  year? 
*Y*u  can  win  no  new  affection, 
uYou  have  only  recollection, 
*1>eeper  sorrow  and  dejection, 
** Every  year." 


There  come  new  cares  and  sorrows, 

Every  year; 
Dark  days  and  darker  morrows, 

Every  year; 
The  ghosts  efdead  loves  haunt  115, 

The  ghosts  °f  changed  friends  taunt  \x%  Too  truei-fife's  shores  are  shifting, 


And  disappointments  daunt  u% 
Every  year. 

To  the  Past  go  more  dead  faces, 

Every  year  $ 
As  the  Isved  leave  vacant  places, 

Every  year? 
Everywhere  the  sad  eyes  meet  us, 
In  the  evening's  dusK  tney  greet  us, 
And  to  come  to  them  entreat  us , 
Every  year. 


Ev^ry  year; 
And  we  are  seaward  drifting, 
Every  year; 
Old  places,  changing,rret  us, 
The  living  more  forget  us. 
There  are  fewer  to  regret  us, 
Every  year. 

But  the  truer  life  draws  nigher, 

Every  yean 
And  its  Morning-star  climbs  higher, 

Every  year; 
Earths  hold  on  us  grows  slighter. 
And  the  heavy  burden  lighter, 
And  the  Dawr*  Immortal  brighter. 
Every  year. 


Albert  Pike 


ALBERT  PIKE 


157 


Albert  Pike  died  April  22,  1891,  at  the  age  of  82  years, 
and  was  buried  in  Oak  Hill  Cemetery,  "Washington,  D.  C. 
The  old  Pike  Mansion,  which  he  built  in  Little  Rock,  three- 
quarters  of  a  century  ago,  411  East  Seventh  Street,  is  now 
the  property  of  the  children  of  Colonel  John  G.  Fletcher, 
deceased. 

It  was  as  a  Mason  that  Albert  Pike  made  his  best  rec- 
ord, and  gained  his  greatest  distinction.  He  was  made  a 
Mason  in  Western  Star  Lodge  No.  2,  Little  Rock,  in  July, 
1850,  a  Royal  Arch  Mason  in  Union  Chapter  No.  2,  No- 
vember 29,  1850;  the  High  Priesthood  at  Baltimore  in 
1853.  He  received  the  Royal  and  Select  Master  degrees 
in  Columbia  Council,  Washington,  D.  C,  December  22, 
1852;  was  created  a  Knight  Templar  in  Washington  Com- 
mandery,  February  9,  1853.  When  Magnolia  Lodge  No. 
60  was  formed,  he  became  a  charter  member  and  was  its 
Worshipful  Master  in  1853  and  1854.  He  was  Grand 
Orator  of  the  Grand  Lodge  in  1864.  He  took  a  dimit  from 
Magnolia  Lodge,  after  moving  to  Washington  City,  but 
never  affiliated  on  it,  and  on  April  27,  1885,  he  returned 
his  dimit  and  affiliated  with  Magnolia  Lodge,  of  which  he 
died  a  member.  He  was  High  Priest  of  Union  Chapter  in 
1852;  Grand  High  Priest  of  the  Grand  Chapter,  1853-56; 
Thrice  Illustrious  Master  of  Occidental  Council,  Little 
Rock,  in  1853,  and  Eminent  Commander  of  Hugh  De  Pay- 
ens  Commandery,  U.  D.,  Little  Rock,  in  1854. 

SCOTTISH  RITE. 

It  was  in  the  Scottish  Rite  that  Brother  Pike  did  his 
greatest  work,  and  left  the  most  enduring  monument.  He 
received  the  Scottish  Rite  degrees,  Fourth  to  Thirty-second, 
inclusive,  in  Charleston,  S.  C,  March  20,  1853.  He  was 
made  Inspector  General,  Thirty-third  Hon.,  April  25,  1857, 
at  New  Orleans,  La.;  was  made  an  active  member  of  the 
Supreme  Council  Southern  Jurisdiction,  March  20,  1858, 
and  chosen  Sovereign  Grand  Commander  ad  vitam,  Janu- 
ary 2,  1859,  in  which  position  he  continued  until  his  death. 


158  FREEMASONRY— WHEN,  WHERE,  HOW? 


For  more  than  thirty-two  years  he  gave  the  strength  of 
his  great  mind  to  the  upbuilding  of  the  beautiful  Scottish 
Rite  degrees. 

Magnolia  Lodge  sent  Frederick  Kramer  and  J.  A. 
Henry  as  its  representatives  to  the  funeral  of  Brother  Pike 
in  Washington,  and  George  Thornburgh,  John  Brodie,  and 
W.  A.  Compton  were  appointed  a  committee  to  draft  suit- 
able resolutions  upon  his  death. 

Western  Star  Lodge  held  a  Lodge  of  Sorrow  in  mem- 
ory of  Brother  Pike,  at  which  Brother  Fay  Hempstead 
presided.  On-  June  24,  1891,  a  public  Lodge  of  Sorrow 
was  held  at  the  Capital  Theater,  by  the  Masonic  Lodges  in 
honor  of  Albert  Pike  and  George  H.  Meade. 

The  cruel  charge  has  been  made  that  Pike  was  irre- 
ligious. But  no  man  who  ever  read  that  great  book,  "Mor- 
als and  Dogma,"  written  by  him,  can  entertain  any  doubt 
of  his  firm  belief  in  God,  his  fixed  faith  in  immortality,  and 
his  sublime  reverence  for  all  that  is  high  and  holy.  On 
page  98  of  that  book,  he  writes  these  words : 

"What  is  certain,  even  for  science  and  the  reason,  is 
that  the  idea  of  God  is  the  grandest,  the  most  holy,  and  the 
most  useful  of  all  the  aspirations  of  men;  that  upon  this 
belief  morality  reposes,  with  its  eternal  sanction." 

On  page  122,  he  expresses  these  beautiful  sentiments: 
"He  who  is  worldly,  covetous,  or  sensual,  must  change 
before  he  can  be  a  good  Mason.  Frequenting  the  same 
temples,  kneeling  at  the  same  altars,  they  should  feel  that 
respect  and  that  kindness  for  each  other,  which  their  com- 
mon relations  and  common  approach  to  one  God  should 
inspire.  There  needs  to  be  more  of  the  spirit  of  fellowship 
among  us;  more  tenderness  for  each  other's  faults;  more 
forgiveness,  more  solicitude  for  each  other's  improvements 
tnd  good  fortune;  somewhat  of  brotherly  feeling,  that  it 
be  not  ashamed  to  use  the  word  'Brother.'  " 


ALBERT  PIKE 


159 


On  the  subject  of  prayer,  lie  says,  on  page  6 : 
"Though  Masonry  neither  usurps  the  place  of,  nor 
apes  religion,  prayer  is  an  essential  part  of  its  ceremonies. 
It  is  the  aspirations  of  the  soul  toward  the  Absolute  and 
Infinite,  which  is  the  one  Supreme  Deity.  It  is  but  a 
shallow  scoff  to  say  that  prayer  is  absurd,  because  it  is  not 
possible  for  us,  by  means  of  it,  to  persuade  God  to  change 
his  plans.  "Why  should  it  not  be  of  the  law  of  God,  that 
prayer,  like  faith  and  love,  should  have  its  effect?  Prayer 
is  sublime.  To  deny  its  efficacy  is  to  deny  that  of  faith, 
love,  and  everything. ' ' 

I  commend  the  pages  following  in  his  book  to  every 
thoughtful  reader  for  their  lofty  ..expressions  of  trust  in 
God,  and  their  reverent  professions  of  sincere  and  humble 
faith. 


PERSECUTION.— MORGAN  CASE. 

American  Freemasonry  passed  through  some  very 
severe  persecutions.  That  it  still  lives  and  nourishes  ia 
evidence  of  the  soundness  of  the  foundation  upon  which  it 
is  built. 

During  the  years  known  as  the  Anti-Masonic  period, 
between  1823  and  1845,  the  Fraternity  was  subjected  to 
the  most  bitter  antagonism  and  persecution,  and  Masonry 
became  a  national  issue.  So  general  was  this  war  and  so 
persistently  was  it  waged,  that  the  institution  suffered  the 
loss  of  Grand  Lodges,  many  Lodges,  and  the  desertion  of 
thousands  of  its  members. 

The  principal  occasion  for  the  antagonism  to  Masonry 
was  what  is  known  as 

THE  MORGAN  EXCITEMENT. 

In  1823,  a  man  named  William  Morgan  took  up  his 
residence  in  the  town  of  Batavia,  New  York.  He  was  a 
stonemason  by  trade,  although  he  had  previously  been  a 
brewer  in  the  Upper  Canada.  He  was  idle  and  dissipated 
and  harassed  by  debt.  He  claimed  to  have  been  a  Mason 
in  Canada,  and  succeeded  in  entering  the  Lodge  at  Bata- 
via as  a  visitor.  There  is  doubt  as  to  his  ever  lawfully 
receiving  the  Blue  Degrees.  However,  upon  his  oath  that 
he  had  received  the  preceding  degrees  in  a  regular  manner, 
he  was  made  a  Royal  Arch  Mason  in  Western  Star  Chap- 
ter No.  33,  at  LeRoy,  N.  Y.,  March  31,  1825.  In  1826  the 
Batavia  brethren  contemplated  establishing  a  Royal  Arch 
Chapter.  Morgan's  name  was  attached  to  the  petition. 
Some  of  the  signers  objected  to  so  dissolute  a  person  being 
a  member  and  a  new  petition  was  accordingly  formed 
omitting  Morgan's  name.  He  subsequently  applied  to  the 
Chapter  for  affiliation,  and  was  rejected.  This  irritated 
him,  and  being  unprincipled,  he  with  his  associate  origi- 
nated the  scheme  of  an  exposition  of  Masonry  for  the  pur- 


PEKSECUTION— MORGAN  CASE 


161 


pose  of  revenge  and  as  a  means  of  making  money.  Asso- 
ciated with  him  was  David  C.  Miller,  editor  of  the  Republi- 
can Advocate,  a  weekly  paper  published  in  Batavia.  Mil- 
ler's habits  were  in  harmony  with  those  of  Morgan.  He 
was  financially  embarrassed  and  in  general  disrepute.  He 
is  said  to  have  received  the  first  degree  in  Masonry  but 
was  never  permitted  to  go  further,  owing  to  developments 
in  his  character. 

The  following  article  appeared  in  Miller's  paper  in 
the  summer  of  1826,  and  created  excitement  among  the 
Fraternity : 

' '  There  will  be  issued  from  the  press  in  this  place,  in 
a  short  time,  a  work  of  rare  interest  to  the  uninitiated, 
being  an  exposition  of  Ancient  Craft  Masonry,  by  one  who 
has  been  a  member  of  the  institution  for  years." 

Efforts  were  at  once  made  to  induce  Morgan  to  sup- 
press the  publication,  and  while  he  professed  to  be  willing 
to  do  so,  and  did  in  fact  surrender  part  of  the  manuscript, 
it  was  found  that  Miller  was  still  pushing  the  work.  Early 
in  September  it  became  known  that  the  work  was  already 
partially  in  print  in  Miller's  office.  A  plan  was  set  on 
foot  by  a  few  misled  Masons  to  obtain  possession  of  that 
manuscript.  On  the  night  of  the  8th  of  September,  a 
party  of  forty  persons  assembled  with  the  purpose  of  sack- 
ing Miller's  office,  but  wiser  council  prevailed  and  no  such 
effort  was  made.  It  is  regretted  that  any  serious  notice 
was  taken  of  Morgan.  His  book  would  have  died  an  early 
death. 

Morgan  was  arrested  on  a  warrant  charging  him  with 
the  larceny  of  some  wearing  apparel  from  a  hotel  keeper 
at  Canandaigua  and  thither  he  was  carried  by  a  posse.  He 
was  acquitted  on  the  ground  that  the  clothes  were  bor- 
rowed. After  his  discharge  he  was  again  arrested  for  debt 
due  another  hotel  keeper,  and  judgment  being  confessed,  he 
was  committed  to  jail.  Miller  was  also  arrested  and  car- 
ried to  LeRoy  on  a  warrant  sued  out  by  Daniel  Johns,  a 
partner  of  Miller,  who  had  advanced  Miller  forty  dollars, 


162 


FREEMASONRY — WHEN,  WHERE,  HOW? 


and  desiring  to  get  his  money  back,  had  him  arrested.  The 
Constable  left  Miller  with  the  Magistrate  while  he  went  to 
find  the  plaintiff.  Not  returning  at  once,  the  Magistrate 
released  Miller,  who  returned  home  during  the  night. 

To  effect  Morgan's  release,  his  wife  went  to  Canan- 
daigua,  but  on  her  arrival  there  found  that  the  debt  had 
been  paid  and  Morgan  released  but  that  he  had  been  again 
arrested  and  taken  out  of  the  State.  Some  days  after,  no 
intelligence  being  received  from  Morgan,  friends  of  the 
family  sent  a  special  messenger  to  Canandaigua  to  make 
inquiries  regarding  him.  This  messenger  reported  that 
after  Morgan  had  been  released  from  jail,  he  was  seized 
by  two  men  and  all  entered  a  carriage  and  drove  rapidly 
off  toward  Rochester.  That  the  .carriage  arrived  at  Ro- 
chester at  about  daylight,  ^nd  was  driven  three  miles  be- 
yond, where  the  party  alighted  and  the  carriage  returned. 
The  driver  stated  the  parties  were  all  strangers  to  him, 
and  that  he  did  not  notice  any  act  of  violence.  This  was 
the  last  ever  seen  or  definitely  known  of  Morgan.  This 
report  aroused  the  most  intense  excitement.  Public  inter- 
est in  the  matter  outside  Batavia  began  about  three  weeks 
after  Morgan's  disappearance  and  was  incited  by  inflam- 
matory talk  and  public  prints,  which  charged  the  Masons 
with  the  crime. 

All  sorts  of  improbable  stories  were  circulated  and 
these  were  seized  upon  with  avidity  by  the  anti-Masons  to 
further  increase  the  excitement  and  the  feeling  against 
the  Fraternity.  Notwithstanding  the  great  body  de- 
nounced the  abduction,  they  were  all  equally  assailed  and 
the  institution  made  to  suffer.  The  excitement  would  have 
no  doubt  been  of  short  duration  had  not  reckless  and  un- 
scrupulous politicians  used  it  to  advance  their  own  inter- 
ests. Through  their  instrumentality  Freemasonry  was 
more  fiercely  denounced,  and  the  crusade  against  it  became 
persecution.  Masonic  clergymen  were  dismissed  from 
their  charges;  church  members  were  excommunicated  be- 
cause of  their  refusal  to  publicly  renounce  the  Order. 


PERSECUTION— MOBGAN  CASE 


163 


Anti-Masonic  papers  and  publications  sprang  up  every- 
where, and  the  virulence  and  bitterness  of  their  attacks 
surpass  description.    Here  is  a  sample : 

"Freemasonry  is  the  step  that  leads  down  to  the  dark 
gates  of  Hell — the  paths  of  perdition — conclaves  of  cor- 
ruption and  licentiousness— protection  of  fraud  and  vil- 
lainy. ' ' 

In  1830  there  were  over  one  hundred  and  thirty  anti- 
Masonic  papers  in  existence. 

The  Anti-Masonic  party  grew  rapidly  and  became 
thoroughly  political  and  lost  no  opportunity  to  further 
its  ends.  Many  Masons  were  prosecuted  for  supposed 
complicity  in  the  abduction,  among  whom  was  John  Whit- 
ney, who  was  speedily  convicted,  sentenced,  and  served  one 
year  imprisonment  in  the  county  jail. 

Notwithstanding  the  reward  of  one  thousand  dollars, 
and  free  pardon  to  anyone  who  as  an  accomplice  or  co- 
operator  would  make  full  disclosure,  nothing  developed  to 
solve  the  Morgan  mystery. 

In  October,  1827,  about  thirteen  months  after  the  dis- 
appearance of  Morgan,  the  body  of  a  drowned  man  was 
found  on  the  beach  at  Oak  Orchard  Harbor,  about  forty 
miles  from  Niagara.  An  inquest  was  held  and  accidental 
death  the  verdict,  and  the  unidentified  body  buried.  It 
was  not  destined  to  remain  undisturbed.  On  the  publica- 
tion of  the  facts,  a  party  consisting  of  Thurlow  Weed,  Rus- 
sel  Dyer,  and  David  C.  Miller,  together  with  a  number  of 
people  from  Batavia,  had  the  body  disinterred  and  a  sup- 
posed investigation  was  held.  A  second  inquest  was  held 
the  following  Monday,  when  it  was  said  that  the  body  was 
much  different  in  appearance  than  when  disinterred.  The 
result  of  this  inquest  was  the  declaration  that  it  was  the 
body  of  William  Morgan  and  that  it  had  been  hastily 
buried  to  prevent  identification.  This,  notwithstanding 
the  fact  that  thirteen  months  had  elapsed  since  Morgan's 
supposed  death,  and  in  face  of  the  fact  that  three  of  the 
witnesses  who  saw  the  body  when  discovered  were  not 


164  FREEMASONKY— WHEN,  WHERE,  HOW? 


called  upon  to  testify  at  the  second  inquest.  The  clothing 
on  the  body  was  not  that  of  Morgan,  nor  was  there  any- 
thing on  or  about  the  body  that  could  be  traced  to  Morgan, 
and  yet  the  body  was  officially  declared  to  be  that  of  Mor- 
gan, and  as  such  was  given  burial  at  Batavia.  The  publi- 
cation of  the  entire  proceeding  of  the  second  inquest  for- 
tunately started  an  investigation  into  the  disappearance 
of  one  Timothy  Monro,  who  left  his  home  in  a  boat  and 
had  not  since  been  heard  of.  The  widow  and  friends  came 
to  Batavia  and  another  inquest  was  held  October  27,  1827. 
The  result  of  this  investigation  developed  that  it  was  the 
body  of  Timothy  Monro,  and  not  William  Morgan.  The 
body  was  accordingly  taken  to  Canada  and  buried,  where 
it  was  permitted  to  remain  at  rest. 

The  Anti-Masonic  party  developed  considerable 
strength  after  its  first  convention  in  1828,  its  greatest 
growth  being  in  New  York.  It  attained  such  prominence 
that  in  1832  it  nominated  William  Wirt  of  Maryland,  a 
candidate  for  President  against  Andrew  Jackson,  Demo- 
crat, and  Henry  Clay,  Whig,  who  were  both  Masons. 
Jackson  was  elected  but  the  Anti-Masonic  candidate  car- 
ried the  State  of  Vermont.  An  idea  can  be  had  of  its 
rapid  growth  from  the  fact  that  in  1828  it  polled  33,348 
votes,  and  in  1832,  156,672,  in  the  State  of  New  York. 
Its  last  convention  was  held  in  Philadelphia  in  1836,  at 
which  time  General  William  H.  Harrison  was  its  nominee 
for  President  and  Francis  Granger  for  Vice  President.  Its 
influence  as  a  factor  in  politics  ended  with  this  election. 

John  Whitney,  who  was  convicted  as  one  of  the  men 
who  abducted  Morgan,  made  a  statement  to  Rob  Morris, 
several  years  after  the  occurrence,  which  was  not  to  be 
published  until  after  the  death  of  Whitney.  The  state- 
ment harmonizes  with  what  really  occurred,  and  is  perhaps 
true.  The  substance  of  the  statement  was  that  a  plan  was 
agreed  upon  by  some  of  the  Masons  to  hire  Morgan  to  give 
up  the  manuscript  of  his  exposition  of  Masonry  and  leave 
the  country,  so  as  to  get  away  from  Miller.    Whitney  said : 


PEESECUTION— MOKGAN  CASE 


165 


"It  was  mutually  agreed  that  Morgan  should  destroy 
all  the  printed  sheets  of  the  exposition;  that  Whitney 
would  give  him  $50.00  to  clothe  himself  decently  and  pro- 
vide for  pressing  needs  of  his  family ;  that  Morgan  was  to 
go  to  Canada,  settle  down,  and  quit  drinking,  so  that  he 
would  not  divulge  the  contract.  That  Morgan  was  to  re- 
ceive $500.00." 

One  trouble  was  to  get  Morgan  away,  and  a  plan  of 
arresting  and  abducting  him  was  agreed  upon  and  con- 
sented to  by  Morgan;  and  he  was  taken  to  Fort  Niagara. 
Bruce,  joined  them  on  the  way,  as  did  Colonel  William 
King,  a  prominent  citizen  and  Mason.  Arrangements  had 
been  made  for  certain  Masons  on  the  Canadian  side  to 
look  after  Morgan  and  see  that  he  was  well  cared  for.  On 
the  Canadian  side  Colonel  King  read  to  Morgan  a  list  of 
statements  which  Morgan  voluntarily  signed,  as  follows: 

1.  That  he  had  contracted  with  Miller  and  others  to 
write  an  Exposition  of  Masonry,  for  which  he  was  to  re- 
ceive a  compensation. 

2.  That  he  had  never  been  made  a  Mason  in  any 
Lodge,  but  had  received  the  Royal  Arch  degrees  in  a  reg- 
ular manner. 

3.  That  Miller  and  the  other  partners  had  utterly 
failed  to  fulfill  the  terms  of  the  contract  with  him. 

4.  That  Whitney  had  paid  him  $50.00,  as  agreed, 
and  he  had  agreed  to  destroy  the  written  and  printed 
work  as  far  as  possible  and  furnish  no  more,  and  that 
before  leaving  Batavia,  he  had  done  what  he  promised  in 
that  way. 

5.  That  it  was  impossible  now  for  Miller  to  continue 
the  "Illustrations"  as  he  (Morgan)  had  written  them.  If 
he  published  any  book,  it  would  have  to  be  made  from  some 
other  person's  materials. 

6.  That  he  had  been  treated  by  Cheseboro,  Whitney, 
Bruce,  and  all  of  them,  with  perfect  kindness  on  the  jour- 
ney. 


166  FKEEMASONKY— WHEN,  WHEEE,  HOW? 


7.  That  he  was  willing  and  anxious  to  be  separated 
from  Miller  and  from  all  idea  of  a  Masonic  expose ;  wished 
to  go  into  the  interior  of  Canada  and  settle  down  as  a  Brit- 
ish citizen;  wished  to  have  his  family  sent  to  him  as  soon 
as  possible ;  expected  $500.00  when  he  reached  the  place,  as 
agreed  upon;  expected  more  money  from  year  to  year  to 
help  him,  if  necessary. 

8.  Finally,  expressed  his  sorrow  for  the  uproar  his 
proceedings  had  made,  sorrow  for  the  shame,  mortification 
of  his  friends,  and  had  "no  idea  that  David  C.  Miller  was 
such  a  d — d  scoundrel  as  he  had  turned  out  to  be." 

Whitney  further  says : 

"We  had  ascertained  at  the  village  that  the  Canadian 
brethren  would  be  ready  to  perform  their  part  and  remove 
Morgan  westward  by  the  latter  part  of  that  or  of  the  first 
of  the  succeeding  week,  but  objected  so  strenuously  to 
having  him  remain  among  them  in  the  meantime,  that  it 
was  agreed  he  (Morgan)  should  be  taken  to  the  American 
side  until  the  Canadians  should  notify  us  they  were  ready. 

"This  was  explained  to  Morgan  and  he  agreed  to  it. 
It  was  then  understood  that  he  was  to  remain  in  the  maga- 
zine without  attempting  to  get  out  until  matters  were 
arranged  for  his  removal.  The  party  then  rowed  back 
and  Morgan  was  left  in  the  bomb-proof  of  the  magazine. 

"The  party  then  went  up  to  Lewiston  on  the  Roches- 
ter boat  that  passed  up  with  passengers  for  the  Royal  Arch 
installation  that  occurred  that  day  (Thursday,  September 
14).  There  was  quite  a  company  of  us  there,  and  the  in- 
telligence was  freely  communicated  that  Morgan  was  at 
Fort  Niagara,  and  the  greatest  satisfaction  expressed  at 
the  news  that  the  manuscript  and  printed  sheets  had  been 
destroyed  and  that  in  a  few  days  Morgan  would  be  effec- 
tually separated  from  the  company  that  had  led  him  to 
ruin. 

"Lawson,  Whitney,  and  a  few  others,  remained  in  the 
vicinity  until  Sunday  night  (17th),  when  the  two  Cana- 
dian brethren  came  over,  received  Morgan,  receipted  Whit- 


PERSECUTION — MORGAN  CASE 


167 


ney  for  the  money  ($500.00)  and  crossed  to  the  west  side 
of  the  river.  We  supposed  that  we  could  at  any  time 
trace  him  up.  We  felt  that  the  Craft  would  be  the  gainer 
by  our  labors.  We  were  prepared  to  send  his  wife  and 
children  to  him,  as  agreed. 

"We  supposed  that  was  the  end  of  it. 

"What  a  tremendous  blunder  we  all  made!  It  was 
scarcely  a  week  until  we  saw  what  trouble  was  before  us. 
It  was  not  a  fortnight  until  Colonel  King  sent  a  confi- 
dential messenger  into  Canada  to  see  Morgan  and  prepare 
to  bring  him  back. 

"But  alas,  he  who  had  sold  his  friends  at  Batavia 
had  also  sold  us.  He  had  gone.  He  had  left  the  village 
within  forty-eight  hours  after  the  departure  of  those  who 
had  taken  him  there. 

"He  was  traced  east  to  a  point  down  the  river  not 
far  from  Fort  Hope,  where  he  sold  his  horse  and  disap- 
peared. He  had  doubtless  got  on  board  a  vessel  there, 
and  sailed  out  of  the  country.  At  any  rate,  that  was  the 
last  we  ever  heard  of  him." 

This  country  has  seen  some  bitter  political  contests, 
but  none  approached  in  intensity  those  of  the  Morgan 
excitement. 

Although  all  the  Grand  bodies  in  public  addresses 
repudiated  and  denounced  the  act,  it  was  of  no  avail  to 
stay  the  storm.  Many  Lodges  surrendered  their  charters, 
and  the  meetings  of  some  of  the  Grand  bodies  were  sus- 
pended. In  Vermont  and  Illinois,  not  a  single  Lodge  con- 
tinued work. 

Special  mention  is  made  of  the  effect  of  the  anti- 
Masonic  excitement  in  several  States  under  the  head  of 
such  States  respectively. 

In  1903,  while  on  a  visit  to  Niagara  Falls,  I  went  to 
old  Fort  Niagara,  at  the  mouth  of  Niagara  River,  on  Lake 
Ontario,  where  stands  perhaps  the  oldest  war  building  in 
existence  in  the  United  States.  It  is  the  old  fort  which 
was  used  by  the  Americans  in  1812,  and  is  kept  intact  sub- 


168  FREEMASONRY — WHEX,  WHERE,  HOW? 


stantially  as  it  was  then.  The  old  castle  building  still 
stands,  in  which  it  is  said  that  William  Morgan  was  im- 
prisoned when  he  was  abducted.  I  was  shown  the  room  in 
which  it  is  said  that  Morgan  was  confined.  The  castle  is 
a  stone  building  with  cement  floors,  very  low  ceilings,  two- 
story,  with  an  observatory  on  the  top.  There  is  an  old 
cannon  carriage  in  thevyard  which  was  used  as  a  sunset 
cannon  in  1812.  Masons  who  go  to  Niagara  Falls  should 
not  fail  to  visit  old  Fort  Niagara. 

In  1880  the  attempt  was  made  to  revive  the  war  on 
Masonry.  John  W.  Phelps  of  Vermont  was  a  candidate 
for  President  of  the  United  States  on  an  anti-Masonic 
ticket,  against  James  A.  Garfield,  Republican,  and  Winfield 
S.  Hancock,  Democrat.  Garfield  received  449,053  votes; 
Hancock,  442,035,  and  Phelps,  707.  Only  two  of  the  votes 
for  Phelps  were  cast  in  Vermont,  a  just  rebuke  to  the 
unholy  effort  to  arouse  prejudice,  and  a  vindication  of  the 
voters  of  Vermont.  Garfield  was  a  good  Mason,  having 
attained  the  Knights  Templar  degree. 


NEGRO  LODGES. 

In  1775  a  traveling  Lodge  of  a  British  Regiment  sta- 
tioned in  Boston,  Mass.,  conferred  the  degrees  on  Prince 
Hall  and  fourteen  other  negroes  in  Boston.  These  negroes 
applied  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  England  for  authority  to 
form  a  Lodge,  and  in  response  to  their  request  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  England,  on  September  20,  1784,  authorized  the 
establishment  of  " African  Lodge"  in  Boston  with  Prince 
Hall  as  its  Master.  This  Lodge  was  composed  entirely  of 
negroes.  It  was  not  given  authority  to  grant  dispensa-  «. 
tions  for  the  establishment  of  other  Lodges,  and  therefore 
had  no  right  to  do  so. 

In  1813  the  name  of  this  Lodge  was  dropped  from  the 
roll  of  Lodges  of  England,  and  its  authority  ceased.  At 
the  union  of  the  two  Grand  Lodges  of  Massachusetts, 
"African  Lodge,"  if  it  was  then  in  existence,  was  not  rec- 
ognized by  the  United  Grand  Lodge  of  Massachusetts. 
Therefore,  by  the  action  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  England 
and  by  the  action  of  the  United  Grand  Lodge  of  Massa- 
chusetts, "African  Lodge"  became  clandestine,  and  as  all 
the  negro  Lodges  of  so-called  Masons  derived  their  author- 
ity from  African  Lodge,  they  are,  so  far  as  white  Lodges 
are  concerned,  clandestine,  and  are  not  recognized  by  any 
Grand  Lodge  in  the  United  States. 

Mackey,    in   his   Encyclopedia,    says   of  "African 
Lodge ' ? : 

"This  Lodge  ceased  its  connection  with  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  England  for  many  years  and  about  the  beginning 
of  the  Nineteenth  Century,  its  registration  was  stricken 
from  the  rolls  of  that  Grand  Lodge,  its  legal  existence,  in 
the  meantime,  never  having  been  recognized  by  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  Massachusetts,  to  which  body  it  had  always  re- 
fused to  acknowledge  allegiance. 

"After  the  death  of  Hall  and  his  colleagues,  to  whom 
the  charter  had  been  granted,  the  Lodge,  for  want  of  some 
one  to  conduct  its  affairs,  fell  into  abeyance,  or,  to  use  the 


170 


FREEMASONRY— WHEN,  WHERE,  HOW? 


technical  phrase,  became  dormant.  After  some  years  it 
was  revived,  but  by  whom  or  under  what  process  of  Ma- 
sonic law,  is  not  stated,  and  information  of  the  revival 
given  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  England,  but  no  reply  or 
recognition  was  received  from  that  body.  After  some 
hesitation  as  to  what  would  be  the  proper  course  to  pur- 
sue, the  negroes  came  to  the  conclusion,  as  they  have  them- 
selves stated,  'That  with  what  knowledge  they  possessed  of 
Masonry,  and  as  people  of  a  color  by  themselves,  they 
were  and  ought  by  right  to  be,  free  and  independent  of 
other  Lodges.'  Accordingly  on  the  18th  of  June,  1827, 
they  issued  a  protocol,  in  which  they  said:  'We  publicly 
declare  ourselves  free  and  independent  of  any  Lodge  from 
this  day,  and  we  will  not  be  tributary  or  governed  by  any 
Lodge  but  that  of  our  own. 9  They  soon  after  assumed  the 
name  of  the  'Prince  Hall  Grand  Lodge,'  and  issued  char- 
ters for  the  constitution  of  subordinates,  and  from  it  have 
proceeded  all  the  Lodges  of  colored  persons  now  existing 
in  the  United  States,  except  one. 

"Admitting  even  the  legality  of  the  English  charter  of 
1784 — which,  however,  is  questionable,  as  there  was  already 
a  Masonic  authority  in  Massachusetts,  upon  whose  prerog- 
atives of  jurisdiction  such  charter  was  an  invasion — it 
cannot  be  denied  that  the  unrecognized  self-revival  of 
1827,  and  the  subsequent  assumption  of  Grand  Lodge  pow- 
ers, were  illegal,  and  rendered  both  the  Prince  Hall  Grand 
Lodge  and  all  the  Lodges  which  emanated  from  it,  clan- 
destine, so  far  as  the  white  organizations  are  concerned. 
And  this  has  been  the  unanimous  opinion  of  all  Masonic 
jurists,  North  and  South,  in  this  country.  It  is  to  the 
credit  of  the  negroes  that  they  do  not  claim  any  connection 
with  the  white  Lodges,  but  are  a  separate  and  independent 
organization." 


NEGKO  LODGES 


171 


ONE  NEGRO  LODGE. 

In  1871  there  were  several  negro  men  in  Newark, 
N.  J.,  who  had  been  made  Masons  in  regular  Lodges,  per- 
haps in  foreign  countries,  where  such  is  allowed;  these 
negroes,  together  with  a  few  white  Masons,  obtained  from 
the  Grand  Lodge  of  New  Jersey,  a  charter  for  a  Lodge 
which  was  given  the  name  6 1  Alpha."  It  appears  that  the 
few  white  men  who  belonged  to  this  Lodge  gradually 
dropped  out,  and  as  only  negroes  joined  it,  it  became  prac- 
tically a  negro  Lodge. 

The  attention  of  the  Grand  Master  of  the  Grand  Lodge 
of  Mississippi  being  called  to  a  report  of  the  condition  of 
the  Lodge,  he  addressed  the  following  letter  to  the  Grand 
Master  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  New  Jersey,  under  date 
August  22,  1908 : 

"Most  Worshipful  Sir: 

"I  have  heard  that  there  is  a  Lodge  in  your  Grand 
Jurisdiction  composed  of  negroes,  and  that  your  Grand 
Lodge  permits  the  initiation  and  affiliation  of  negroes  as 
Masons.    I  will  thank  you  to  advise  me  if  this  is  true. 

" Edwin  J.  Martin,  Grand  Master." 

To  which  letter  the  following  answer  was  made  by  the 
Grand  Master  of  New  Jersey,  under  date  August  25,  1908: 

"Most  Worshipful  Sir  mid  Dear  Brother: 

"  Yours  of  22d  inst.  inquiring  concerning  a  Lodge  of 
negroes  in  this  State,  received.  Tour  information  is  cor- 
rect. Alpha  Lodge  No.  116,  A.  F.  and  A.  M.  of  Newark, 
under  the  jurisdiction  of  the  Grand  Lo^g^  of  New  Jersey, 
is  composed  almost  entirely  of  negroes.  The  Lodge  was 
warranted  on  January  19,  1871,  but  it  has  never  been  very 
prosperous,  and  is  not  now  so,  having  a  total  membership 
of  only  46. 

1 i  There  is  no  law  in  this  jurisdiction  against  making 
negroes  Masons,  nor  of  affiliation  by  regularly  made  Ma- 


172  FREEMASONRY— WHEN,  WHERE,  HOW? 


sons,  irrespective  of  color.  Alpha  Lodge,  however,  is  the 
only  Lodge  in  this  jurisdiction  that  has  any  negro  mem- 
bers. There  are,  of  course,  a  number  of  so-called  negro 
Masonic  Lodges  in  the  State,  but  we  do  not  in  any  wise 
recognize  them. 

4  6  Fraternally  yours, 

"William  D.  Wolfskeil,  Grand  Master." 

After  the  receipt  of  the  above  letter  from  the  Grand 
Master  of  New  Jersey,  the  Grand  Master  of  Mississippi 
addressed  the  following  letter  to  the  Grand  Master  of  New 
Jersey,  under  date  January  14,  1909: 

"Most  Worshipful  Sir  and  Dear  Brother: 

"Yours  of  August  25  advising  me  that  negroes  are 
initiated  in  your  Grand  Jurisdiction,  is  received.  Our 
Grand  Lodge  holds  differently.  Masonry  never  contem- 
plated that  her  privileges  should  be  extended  to  a  race 
morally  and  intellectually  totally  incapacitated  to  dis- 
charge the  obligations  which  they  assume,  or  have  con- 
ferred upon  them  in  a  Masonic  Lodge.  It  is  no  answer 
that  there  are  exceptions  to  this  general  character  of  the 
race.  "We  legislate  for  the  race  and  not  for  the  exceptions. 
We  hold  that  affiliation  with  negroes  is  contrary  to  the 
teachings  of  Masonry  and  dangerous  to  the  interests  of 
the  Fraternity  of  Free  and  Accepted  Masons. 

"Therefore  I,  E.  J.  Martin,  Grand  Master  of  Masons 
in  the  State  of  Mississippi,  do  declare  that  Fraternal  Cor- 
respondence between  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Mississippi  and 
the  Most  Worshipful  Grand  Lodge  of  New  Jersey  be  and 
is  hereby  discontinued,  until  such  time  as  the  Grand  Lodge 
of  New  Jersey  shall  see  fit  to  desist  from  her  present  prac- 
tice of  initiating  and  affiliating  negroes  as  Masons. 

"With  my  best  personal  regards,  I  am, 
"Sincerely  yours, 

"Edwin  J.  Martin,  Grand  Master." 

The  case  attracted  widespread  attention  and  deep  con- 
cern among  the  Grand  Lodges  of  this  country.  Nearly 


NEGRO  LODGES 


173 


every  one  condemned  the  course  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
New  Jersey,  but  only  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Oklahoma  fol- 
lowed the  example  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Mississippi  in 
severing  Fraternal  relations  with  the  Grand  Lodge  of  New 
Jersey.  The  Grand  Lodge  of  Oklahoma,  at  its  session 
February,  1914,  rescinded  its  vote  of  nonintercourse  with 
New  Jersey,  leaving  only  Mississippi  to  stand  aloof  from 
the  Grand  Lodge  of  New  Jersey.  The  Grand  Lodge  of 
New  Jersey  has  expressed  regret  at  the  existence  of  such  a 
condition  within  its  jurisdiction  and  as  the  Lodge  is  likely 
to  die  for  lack  of  support  and  for  want  of  sympathy,  the 
matter  has  been  allowed  to  rest.  No  similar  case  is  likely 
to  ever  occur  ip  this  eoiwiry 


MASONRY  IN  ARKANSAS. 


DAVID  I.  MILLS. 

David  I.  Mills,  Most  Worshipful  Grand  Master  of  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  Arkansas,  was  born  in  Jefferson  County, 
this  State,  September  29,  1857. 

He  was  made  a  Master  Mason  in  Pine  Bluff  Lodge 
No.  69,  in  1884 ;  a  Royal  Arch  Mason  in  Lafayette  Chapter 
in  1885 ;  a  Royal  and  Select  Master  in  English  Council  in 
1886 ;  a  Knight  Templar  in  Damascus  Commandry  May  31, 
1886,  and  a  Scottish  Rite  Mason  in  Arkansas  Consistory 
November  16,  1909. 

He  was  elected  Grand  Junior  Warden  November,  1910 ; 
Grand  Senior  Warden  November,  1911;  Deputy  Grand 
Master  November,  1912,  /and  Grand  Mastler  November 
1913.  He  was  Grand  Commander  Knights  Templar  in 
1889 ;  is  now  Principal  Sojourner  of  the  Grand  Royal  Arch 
Chapter  and  Grand  Steward  of  the  Grand  Council  Royal 
and  Select  Masters.  He  is  one  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  of 
the  Masonic  Home.  He  is  zealous  in  whatever  cause  he 
enlists  in,  and  is  making  one  of  the  most  active  Grand  Mas- 
ters the  Grand  Lodge  has  ever  had. 


David  I.  Mills 


MASONRY  IN  ARKANSAS. 

In  1818  Andrew  Scott  was  appointed  one  bf  the 
United  States  Judges  of  the  Territory  of  Arkansas.  In  the 
discharge  of  his  duties  as  such,  it  became  necessary  for  him 
to  make  his  home  at  Arkansas  Post,  which  had  been  desig- 
nated as  the  seat  of  government  for  Arkansas  Territory. 

Arkansas  Post  is  on  the  Arkansas  River,  twenty  miles 
south  of  DeWitt,  in  Arkansas  County.  It  still  has  a  post 
office  and  two  or  three  small  business  houses.  It  has  no 
Masonic  Lodge.  At  one  time,  besides  being  the  capital 
of  the  State,  it  was  a  trading  point  of  some  note.  Brother 
Scott  was  the  first  territorial  officer  to  enter  Arkansas 
Territory,  coming  in  1818. 

Closely  following  him  was  Robert  Johnson  of  Ken- 
tucky, who  had  also  been  appointed  one  of  the  United  States 
Judges.  Scott  and  Johnson  were  both  Masons.  At  the 
time  of  Scott's  appointment,  he  was  living  at  Potosi,  Mo., 
and  was  Acting  Worshipful  Master  of  a  Masonic  Lodge, 
working  under  a  dispensation  at  that  place.  As  he 
was  the  mainstay  of  the  U.  D.  Lodge  at  Potosi,  on  his  re- 
moval the  Lodge  surrendered  its  dispensation.  Brother 
Scott  obtained  permission  of  the  Lodge  to  take  with  him  to 
Arkansas  the  jewels  of  the  Lodge,  to  be  presented  to  the 
first  Masonic  Lodge  that  might  be  established  in  the  Ter- 
ritory of  Arkansas. 

On  November  30,  1819,  a  dispensation  was  granted  by 
the  Grand  Lodge  of  Kentucky  to  Brothers  Scott,  Johnson, 
and  others,  for  a  Lodge  at  Arkansas  Post,  to  be  called  "Ar- 
kansas Lodge.' '  Brother  Robert  Johnson  was  named  as 
the  first  Worshipful  Master.  Brother  Scott  presented  to 
this  Lodge  the  jewels  which  he  had  brought  from  the  Lodge 
at  Potosi,  Mo. 

Before  we  leave  "Arkansas  Lodge"  and  Arkansas  Post, 
it  will  be  interesting  to  note  that  Andrew  Scott  was  the 
father  of  J.  R.  Homer  Scott,  a  Mason  who  lived  to  an  hon- 
ored old  age  at  Russellville.    J.  R.  Homer  Scott  was  the 


176 


FKEEMASONRY— WHEN,  WHERE,  HOW? 


father  of  Dr.  Andrew  Homer  Scott,  a  prominent  physi- 
cian and  a  Mason  who  lived  at  Little  Bock.  Dr.  Andrew 
Homer  Scott  was  the  father  of  Dr.  Homer  Scott  and  of 
Andrew  Scott,  both  of  whom  are  members  of  Magnolia 
Lodge,  Little  Rock. 

Thus  Masonry  of  the  present  day  is  linked  with  the 
first  Lodge  established  within  the  borders  of  the  State. 

In  1820,  the  enterprising  citizens  of  the  village  of 
Little  Eock  petitioned  the  legislature  to  remove  the  seat 
of  government  to  Little  Rock,  and  as  an  inducement  of- 
fered to  furnish  certain  facilities,  among  them  a  courthouse 
and  a  jail.  On  the  18th  of  October,  1820,  the  legislature, 
then  in  session  at  Arkansas  Post,  passed  an  act  removing 
the  seat  of  government  to  Little  Rock,  and  providing  that 
Pulaski  County  should  build  a  jail  not  to  cost  exceeding 
$1,000.00  and  a  courthouse  not  to  exceed  $400.00.  The 
population  of  Arkansas  was  at  that  time  only  14,255. 

On  the  removal  of  the  State  officers,  most  of  whom 
were  Masons,  from  Arkansas  Post,  Arkansas  Lodge  sur- 
rendered its  dispensation  and  then  there  was  no  Lodge 
in  Arkansas.  No  effort  was  made  to  organize  one  for  six- 
teen years,  doubtless  because  of  the  anti-Masonic  crusade 
which  raged  during  the  time. 

The  next  Lodge  to  be  established  was  in  the  year  of 
1836,  when  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Tennessee  granted  a  dis- 
pensation for  a  new  Lodge  at  Fayetteville,  to  be  called 
" Washington."  Brother  Scott  had  preserved  the  jew- 
els which  he  took  from  Potosi  and  presented  to  Arkan- 
sas Lodge,  and  now  presented  them  to  Washington  Lodge. 

From  1836  to  1838  Washington  was  the  only  Lodge 
in  the  State.  On  January  6,  1838,  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
Louisiana  established  Western  Star  Lodge  at  Little  Rock, 
and  on  the  same  day  the  same  Grand  Lodge  established 
Morning  Star  Lodge  at  Arkansas  Post.  On  the  register 
of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Louisiana  "Morning  Star"  is  No. 
42,  and  "Western  Star"  No.  43,  but  at  the  formation  of 
our  Grand  Lodge,  "Western  Star"  was  given  the  prece- 
dence as  to  number  over  "Morning  Star."    A  little  later 


MASONRY  IN  ARKANSAS 


177 


in  the  year  of  1838,  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Alabama  granted 
a  dispensation  for  a  Lodge  at  Washington,  Ark.,  to  be  called 
"  Mount  Horeb." 

On  November  21,  1838,  the  four  Lodges  above  named, 
by  their  delegates,  met  at  Little  Rock,  adopted  a  con- 
stitution and  organized  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Arkansas,  as 
the  following  proceedings,  which  I  copy,  show : 

*  "A  convention  of  Masons,  of  the  Ancient  York  Rite, 
met  in  the  city  of  Little  Rock,  Ark.,  on  the  21st  day 
of  November  in  the  year  of  Christ  1838,  A.  L.  5838,  com- 
posed of  the  following  delegates: 

6 6  From  Washington  Lodge  No.  82,  working  under 
authority  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Tennessee,  Onesimus 
Evans,  Past  Master;  Washington  L.  Wilson,  Robert  Bed- 
ford, A.  Whinnery,  R.  C.  S.  Brown,  Samuel  Adams,  and 
Williamson  S.  Oldham. 

"From  Western  Star  Lodge  No.  43,  working  under 
the  authority  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Louisiana,  William 
Gilchrist,  Past  Master;  Charles  L.  Jeffries,  Past  Master; 
Nicholas  Peay,  Past  Master;  Edward  Cross,  Past  Master; 
Thomas  Parsell,  Alden  Sprague,  and  John  Morris. 

"From  Morning  Star  Lodge  No.  42,  working  under  au- 
thority of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Louisiana,  John  W.  Pul- 
len. 

"From  Mount  Horeb  Lodge,  working  under  dispensa- 
tion from  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Alabama,  James  H.  Walker, 
Allen  M.  Oakley,  Joseph  W.  McKean,  and  James  Trigg. 

"Which  convention  on  the  21st  day  of  November,  1838, 
by  unanimous  consent  of  all  the  delegates,  adopted  a 
Constitution  for  the  government  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
Arkansas,  whereupon  a  Grand  Lodge  was  opened  in  due 
and  ancient  form,  and  the  officers  thereof  were  elected 
and  installed  according  to  the  most  ancient  usages  and 
customs  of  the  Fraternity,  when  on  the  27th  day  of  No- 
vember aforesaid,  the  convention  adjourned  sine  die. 

(Signed)  "John  Morris, 

"Grand  Secretary  of  Grand  Lodge  of  Arkansas." 


178 


FBEEMA80NRY— WHEN,  WHERE,  HOW? 


William  Gilchrist  was  elected  Grand  Master;  Ones- 
imus  Evans,  Deputy  Grand  Master  ;  J.  H.  Walker,  Grand 
Senior  Warden;  W.  I.  Wilson,  Grand  Junior  Warden; 
A.  Sprague,  Grand  Treasurer,  and  G.  C.  Watkins,  Grand 
Secretary. 

There  were  fewer  than  two  hundred  Masons  in  the 
State  at  that  time. 

The  four  original  Lodges  forming  the  Grand  Lodge 
were  given  new  charters  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Arkan- 
sas and  numbered  as  follows:  Washington,  No.  1;  Wes- 
tern Star,  No.  2;  Morning  Star,  No.  3,  and  Mount  Horeb, 
No.  4.  Washington  and  Western  Star  are  among  the  largest 
and  most  prosperous  Lodges  in  the  State. 

In  1854,  after  stringent  efforts  for  years  against  ad- 
versity, Morning  Star  removed  its  domicile  to  Red  Fork, 
Desha  County,  a  distance  of  seven  miles.  At  the  annual 
session  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  1857,  the  Lodge  was  for  the 
last  time  represented  under  its  original  charter,  in  the 
persons  of  Brothers  J.  V.  Jacobs,  S.  A.  Southron,  and  D. 
W.  Heard.  On  April  14,  1866,  a  new  charter  was  is- 
sued to  the  Lodge  in  lieu  of  the  original,  which  was  lost. 
The  last  time  the  Lodge  was  represented  in  the  Grand 
Lodge  was  in  1883  by  L.  A.  Pindall.  It  reported  for 
that  year  a  membership  of  8.  That  was  the  last  of  Morn- 
ing Star  Lodge,  m  full  of  interesting  history. 

Mount  Horeb  struggled  hard,  in  a  declining  town,  to 
maintain  its  existence.  But  after  1880  it  failed  to  make 
returns  to  the  Grand  Lodge  and  in  1884  the  Grand 
Lodge  withdrew  the  charter.  Its  last  representative  in 
the  Grand  Lodge  was  that  eminent  jurist,  zealous  Mason 
and  courtly  gentleman,  Supreme  Judge  John  R.  Eakin. 


MASONRY  IN  ARKANSAS 


179 


EARLY  LODGES. 

The  earliest  Lodges  chartered  by  the  Grand  Lodge 
of  Arkansas  were  Clarksville  No.  5,  in  1839;  Van  Buren 
No.  6 ;  Napoleon  No.  7 ;  Golden  Square  No.  8,  in  1840 ; 
Franklin  No.  9,  in  1843,  and  Mount  Zion  No.  10,  in  1844. 

When  Clarksville  Lodge  No.  5  was  established, 
Washington  Lodge  No.  1,  having  bought  a  new  set  of 
jewels,  presented  the  jewels  given  it  by  Brother  Andrew 
Scott  to  Clarksville  Lodge.  In  1845,  Clarksville  Lodge 
surrendered  its  charter.  Franklin  Lodge  No.  9  took  its 
place.  The  jewels  aforesaid  fell  into  the  hands  of  Franklin 
Lodge  No.  9,  where  they  remained  until  October  27,  1857, 
when  Franklin  Lodge  presented  them  to  the  Grand  Lodge 
of  Arkansas,  and  they  were  destroyed  by  fire. 

On  November  25,  1846,  the  Grand  Lodge  was  duly 
incorporated  by  an  act  of  the  State  Legislature.  The 
legal  name  is  "The  Most  Worshipful  Grand  Lodge  of 
Ancient  York  Masons  of  the  State  of  Arkansas,  and  Its 
Subordinates,  and  Its  Masonic  Jurisdiction." 

SECOND  CONSTITUTION. 

On  November  14,  1851,  a  convention  was  held  in 
Little  Rock  for  the  purpose  of  adopting  a  new  constitu- 
tion. Nat  G.  Smith  was  elected  President;  L.  E.  Barber, 
Secretary;  T.  D.  Merrick,  Assistant  Secretary,  and  J.  J. 
Thompson,  Doorkeeper.    Thirty  Lodges  were  represented. 

GRAND  LODGE  LIBRARY. 

In  1853  the  Grand  Lodge  voted  to  establish  a  Masonic 
library.  This  was  warmly  advocated  by  Brother  Albert 
Pike.  One  hundred  and  fifty  dollars  was  appropriated 
and  Pike  was  made  chairman  of  the  Committee  on  Library. 
He  purchased  fifty-seven  volumes,  some  of  which  were 
imported  from  England;  and  thus  a  nucleus  was  formed, 
but  nothing  further  was  done.  Gradually  the  interest 
died  and  in  1858  the  library  committee  was  abolished. 


180  FKEEMASONBY— WHEN,  WHEEE,  HOW? 


In  1883,  the  Grand  Lodge  provided  for  the  establish- 
ment of  another  library  with  the  Grand  Secretary  as 
Librarian.  A  good  many  books  have  been  donated  and 
some  purchased  for  this  library. 

ST.  JOHN'S  COLLEGE. 

In  1850,  Grand  Master  E.  H.  English  recommended 
the  establishment  of  a  Masonic  College,  under  the  man- 
agement of  the  Grand  Lodge. 

A  committee  was  appointed  and  a  charter  secured  for 
"St.  John's  College/ 9  By  vote  of  the  Grand  Lodge  in 
1851,  it  was  located  at  Little  Rock.  In  1852,  the  trus- 
tees purchased  one  hundred  acres  of  ground  in  the  south- 
eastern part  of  Little  Rock. 

On  November  5,  1857,  the  corner-stone  was  laid, 
and  in  October,  1859,  the  school  was  opened.  In  1861, 
it  was  suspended  on  account  of  the  war.  It  was  reopened  in 
October,  1867,  and  was  quite  successful  for  several  years. 
It  finally  became  financially  burdensome  to  the  Grand 
Lodge  and  was  disposed  of  and  the  proceeds  put  into  the 
Masonic  Temple,  mention  of  which  is  made  hereafter. 

WIDOWS'  AND  ORPHANS'  HOME. 

On  June  24,  1858,  L.  E.  Barber,  Grand  Master,  laid 
the  corner-stone  of  a  "Widows'  and  Orphans'  Home"  at 
Pine  Bluff.  This  was  the  first  organized  charity  in  the 
State.  It  was  under  the  ownership  and  control  of  Pine 
Bluff  Lodge  No.  69.  A  building  was  erected  and  opened, 
but  only  two  or  three  applied  to  enter,  and  after  a  few 
years  it  was  abandoned  as  a  Widows'  and  Orphans'  Home 
and  the  house  was  rented. 

Later  the  property  was  sold  and  the  money  loaned 
at  interest.  The  principal  and  accumulation  furnished 
the  funds  with  which  to  purchase  the  property  now  used 
as  a  Masonic  Temple  for  the  bodies  in  Pine  Bluff. 

In  1892,  the  Grand  Lodge  placed  the  property  in 
charge  of  the  two  Lodges  in  Pine  Bluff.  Much  charity 
work  is  being  done  with  the  fund. 


MASONRY  IN  ARKANSAS 


181 


THE  CIVIL  WAR. 

During  the  war  between  the  States,  1861-65,  the  Grand 
Lodge  attempted  to  hold  annual  sessions,  but  with  some 
irregularity.  The  sessions  of  1863  and  1864  were  held 
at  Washington,  Hempstead  County,  it  being  at  that  time 
the  seat  of  government  of  the  State.  During  the  war,  the 
Grand  Master  authorized  the  organization  of  "Traveling 
Lodges  (that  is,  Lodges  among  the  soldiers  in  the  field). 
These  army  Lodges  conferred  the  degrees  on  many  persons, 
who  afterwards  became  members  of  the  Lodges  in  the 
State. 

It  may  be  interesting  to  state  that  during  the  ter- 
rible war  between  the  North  and  South,  only  one  Grand 
Lodge  attempted  to  control  its  members  as  to  the  side 
they  should  take  in  the  contest.    That  was  Kentucky. 

The  General  Grand  Chapter  of  the  United  States  was 
so  thoroughly  imbued  with  the  Masonic  spirit,  that,  though 
being  officered  by  the  men  of  the  North,  and  meet- 
ing only  in  the  North,  it  never  censured  the  Masons  of 
the  South,  nor  disbarred  any  of  the  Southern  Grand 
Chapters.  And  at  the  first  meeting  of  the  General  Grand 
Chapter  after  peace  was  made,  it  invited  all  the  South- 
ern Grand  Chapters  to  return  to  its  fold  as  if  there  had 
never  been  the  conflict  that  rent  asunder  almost  every 
other  organization. 

To  indicate  the  spirit  that  then  filled  the  hearts  of 
Masons,  I  quote  from  the  address  of  E.  H.  English,  the 
Grand  Master  of  our  Grand  Lodge,  at  its  session  Novem- 
ber, 1865,  when  the  Civil  War  had  just  closed.  Brother 
English  said : 

"The  terrible  storm  of  'war  is  over,  the  last 
faint  echoes  of  its  awful  thunders  are  hushed,  its  angry 
clouds  are  drifting  away,  and  the  sun  of  peace  once  more 
smiles  upon  our  desolated  country.  Desolated  though  it 
be,  time,  patience,  and  perseverance  in  the  pursuit  of 
peaceful  and  industrial  occupations  of  life  will  restore  it 


182 


FREEMASONRY— WHEN,  WHERE,  HOW? 


to  its  former  prosperity.  Many  of  our  brethren  who  met 
with  us  here  in  former  years  and  whose  faces  were  fa- 
miliar to  us,  now  sleep  the  long  sleep  of  death  in  their  quiet 
resting  places,  and  their  homes  are  left  in  mourning.  In 
the  deplorable  civil  commotion,  which  for  four  gloomy  years 
afflicted  our  country,  fortunately  for  Masonry,  it  had  no 
schism — ithe  Masons  of  the  United  States  now,  as  before 
the  National  troubles,  constitute  one  great  individual  Fra- 
ternity.  Leading  Masons  from  every  section  of  our  ex- 
tensive country  have  assembled  at  Columbus,  Ohio,  in  the 
General  Grand  Chapter  and  in  the  General  Grand  En- 
campment, since  the  close  of  the  war,  as  in  years  gone, 
treated  each  other  as  brothers  and  companions,  transacted 
their  Masonic  business  in  peace  and  harmony,  renewed 
their  social  and  fraternal  obligations  around  a  common 
altar,  and  have  thus  demonstrated  to  the  world  that  Ma- 
sons are  bound  together  by  ties  which  cannot  be  severed 
by  civil  strife  or  political  conflict.  So  the  unity  of  Ma- 
sonry has  survived  the  political  revolutions  of  all  ages 
and  all  countries,  and  so  in  the  very  nature  of  its  consti- 
tution and  landmarks,  it  will  continue  to  maintain  its 
unity. ' ' 

Such  was  the  awful  effect  of  the  war,  that  out  of  one 
hundred  and  seventy  Lodges  on  the  roll  at  the  begin- 
ning of  the  conflict,  only  forty-two  were  represented  in 
the  Grand  Lodge  of  1865. 

THIRD  CONSTITUTION. 

On  Monday,  October  13,  1873,  the  subordinate  Lodges, 
by  their  representatives,  met  in  convention  for  the  pur- 
pose of  adopting  a  new  constitution  for  the  Grand  Lodge. 
George  A.  Dannelly  was  made  President  of  the  conven- 
tion, with  George  Thornburgh,  Secretary,  and  John  J. 
Sumpter,  Logan  H.  Roots,  and  Zachery  T.  Bennett,  Assist- 
ant Secretaries. 

This  constitution  remains  with  slight  amendments. 
It  was  the  third  one,  the  first  being  in  1838,  and  the 
second  in  1851. 


MASONRY  IN  ARKANSAS 


183 


LOSS  OF  RECORDS. 

In  1876,  the  building  which  contained  the  Grand 
Secretary's  office,  located  at  the  northwest  corner  of 
Markham  and  Commerce,  Little  Rock,  was  destroyed  by 
fire,  together  with  all  the  Grand  Lodge  records.  This  was 
the  second  fire  in  which  the  Grand  Lodge  lost  all  records, 
the  first  being  in  1864.  On  this  account,  little  is  known 
of  the  Grand  Lodge  proceedings  prior  to  1876. 

MILEAGE  AND  PER  DIEM. 

Up  to  the  year  of  1878  subordinate  Lodges  were  re- 
quired to  pay  the  expenses  of  their  representatives  at- 
tending the  Grand  Lodge.  At  the  session  of  November, 
1877,  a  resolution  was  introduced  providing  for  paying 
mileage  and  per  diem.  It  was  referred  to  a  committee 
to  consider  and  report  upon  at  the  next  session  of  the 
Grand  Lodge. 

At  the  session  of  1878  the  Grand  Lodge  voted  to  pay 
mileage  at  the  rate  of  five  cents  per  mile  and  $2.00  per 
diem.  The  details  of  the  edict  were  substantially  as 
exist  now. 

GRAND  LODGE  DUES. 

At  the  Grand  Lodge  of  1879,  the  law  was  changed 
so  as  to  provide  that  instead  of  each  Lodge  paying  $5.00 
annually  to  the  Grand  Lodge,  each  Lodge  should  pay 
on  a  basis  of  fifty  cents  for  each  member  of  the  Lodge. 
Up  to  that  time  the  weakest  Lodge  paid  $5.00  and  the 
strongest  paid  only  $5.00,  which  was  obviously  unequal. 

SEMI-CENTENNIAL. 

On  November  28,  1888,  the  Grand  Lodge  celebrated 
the  fiftieth  anniversary  of  its  organization.  Grand  Mas- 
ter R.  H.  Taylor  presided.  Brother  Fay  Hempstead  acted 
as  Master  of  Ceremonies. 

In  connection  with  the  celebration  a  very  elaborate 
banquet  was  served.    Past  Grand  Master  Logan  II.  Roots 


184  FREEMASONKY— WHEN,  WHERE,  HOW? 


acted  as  toastmaster.  Toasts  were  responded  to  as  fol- 
lows: 

L  "The  Grand  Lodge  of  Arkansas,"  response  by 
Past  Grand  Master  J.  H.  Van  Hoose. 

2.  "The  Grand  Master,"  response  by  R.  H.  Taylor, 
Grand  Master. 

3.  "Our  Sister  Grand  Jurisdictions,"  response  by 
Joseph  Eichbaum,  Grand  Master  of  Pennsylvania. 

4.  "Our  Distinguished  Visitors,"  response  by  Mi- 
chael Nisbet,  Grand  Secretary  of  Pennsylvania. 

5.  "Our  Grand  Representatives,"  response  by  B. 
F.  Atkinson,  Fort  Smith. 

6.  "Our  Past  Grand  Officers,"  response  by  John 
J.  Sumpter,  Past  Grand  Master. 

7.  "The  General  Craft,"  response  by  M.  L.  Bell, 
Past  Grand  Master. 

8.  "Our  Honored  Dead,"  response  by  George  Thorn- 
burgh,  Past  Grand  Master. 

9.  "To  the  Memory  of  Rob  Morris,"  response  by 
Fay  Hempstead,  Grand  Secretary. 

MASONIC  TEMPLE. 

In  1889,  the  proposition  of  erecting  a  Masonic  Temple 
in  Little  Rock  was  first  considered.  Definite  action  was 
taken  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  1890,  by  the  adoption  of  a 
resolution  to  dispose  of  the  St.  John's  College  property 
and  with  the  proceeds  purchase  ground  on  which  to  erect  a 
modern  Masonic  Temple. 

Fifty-nine  feet  front  at  the  northeast  corner  of  Main 
and  Fifth  Streets  was  purchased  at  a  cost  of  $35,000.00. 

An  emergent  communication  of  the  Grand  Lodge  was 
held  in  Little  Rock,  March  4,  1891,  for  the  purpose  of 
laying  the  corner-stone  of  the  new  Temple.  W.  K.  Ram- 
sey, Grand  Master,  was  present  with  mfost  of  the  Grand 
Officers  and  the  representatives  from  thirty-one  Lodges. 
Jonn  T.  Hicks  was  Grand  Marshal. 

The  Grand  Lodge  formed  a  procession,  escorted  by 
Hugh  De  Payens  Commandery,  Knights  Templar,  and  pre- 


MASONRY  IN  ARKANSAS 


185 


ceded  by  a  band  of  music,  marched  to  the  site  of  the 
Temple  at  Fifth  and  Main  Streets,  where  the  ceremonies 
of  laying  the  corner-stone  were  performed,  in  the  presence 
of  a  large  gathering  of  Masons  and  others.  The  oration 
was  delivered  by  Past  Grand  Master  George  Thornburgh. 

The  Temple  was  dedicated  November  15,  1892,  dur- 
ing the  session  of  the  Grand  Lodge.  Brother  C.  A.  Bride- 
well, Grand  Master,  presiding.  Brother  A.  B.  Grace  de- 
livered the  oration. 

The  building  is  seven  stories  and  cost  $80,000.00.  The 
Grand  Lodge  meets  on  the  fourth  floor,  and  the  sixth  and 
seventh  floors  are  occupied  exclusively  by  the  subordinate 
bodies  of  Little  Rock. 

MASONIC  TROWEL. 

In  July,  1887,  the  6 'Masonic  Trowel"  was  enterprised 
at  Walnut  Ridge.  In  his  address  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
1887,  Grand  Master  W.  H.  Gee,  said: 

"I  desire  to  call  the  attention  of  the  Craft  to  that 
deserving  and  much-needed  enterprise,  "The  Trowel,"  the 
only  Masonic  journal  in  our  State,  published  by  Brother 
George  Thornburgh,  Past  Grand  Master.  Its  columns 
abound  in  interesting  historical  facts,  useful  instruction, 
and  wholesome  advice." 

At  the  same  session  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  on  recom- 
mendation of  a  -committee,  the  Trowel  was  designated  as 
the  official  organ  of  the  Grand  Lodge. 

In  1889,  the  paper  was  moved  to  Little  Rock,  and  is 
still  conducted  by  its  founder. 

SECRET  WORK  AND  CUSTODIANS. 

At  the  Grand  Lodge  of  1894,  the  following  resolution 
was  introduced  by  George  Thornburgh,  and  adopted : 

1 '  That  there  be  elected  by  this  Grand  Lodge,  three  of 
its  members  to  be  Custodians  of  the  Work,  one  of  whom 
shall  hold  one  year,  one  two  years,  and  one  three  years,  and 
their  successors  to  be  elected  one  each  year  by  the  Grand 


186  FREEMASONRY— WHEN,  WHERE,  HOW? 


Lodge,  as  their  respective  terms  expire.  They  shall  at 
once,  after  their  election  by  this  Grand  Lodge,  cast  lots  for 
the  three  terms.  These  Custodians  shall  be  the  highest 
authority  as  to  the  correct  work.  They  shall  instruct  and 
test  the  Grand  Lecturer  annually  and  when  he  is  qualified 
they  shall  give  him  a  certificate  to  that  effect  and  then  the 
Grand  Lecturer  may  teach  the  work  to  the  District  De- 
puties and  in  schools,  as  provided  by  existing  law." 

All  questions  of  dispute,  as  to  what  the  work  is,  are 
referred  to  the  Custodians  and  their  decision  is  final,  un- 
less reversed  by  the  Grand  Lodge.  The  Grand  Lecturer 
holds  a  School  of  Instruction  once  a  year  at  Little  Rock, 
where  he  teaches  the  work  to  the  District  Deputy  Grand 
Masters  and  to  any  Lodge  officers  who  feel  disposed  to 
attend  the  School. 

The  first  Custodians  elected  were  George  A.  Dannelly, 
Sam  W.  Williams,  and  George  W.  DeVaughan.  In  1895 
Brother  Williams  resigned  and  W.  M.  Kent  was  elected. 
In  November,  1900,  George  Thornburgh  was  elected  in  place 
of  George  A.  Dannelly,  who  was  relieved  because  of  phys- 
ical infirmity.  In  November,  1913,  F.  W.  Harris  was 
elected  in  place  of  George  W.  DeVaughan,  who  was  re- 
lieved on  account  of  declining  health. 

The  Grand  Lodge  of  Arkansas  has  never  permitted  a 
written  or  printed  ritual  of  the  secret  work.  At  the  session 
of  1909,  it  was  made  an  offense,  punishable  by  expulsion, 
for  a  Mason  to  buy,  sell,  or  use  a  written  or  printed 
cypher  ritual  or  exposition. 

At  the  Grand  Lodge  of  1896,  the  death  of  Frederick 
Kramer,  Grand  Treasurer,  was  reported.  Brother  Kramer 
had  long  been  identified  with  the  Masonic  bodies  of  Arkan- 
sas. He  was  a  man  of  high  moral  character,  genial  as  a 
companion,  and  zealous  as  a  Mason.  The  Grand  Master, 
A.  G.  Washburn,  appointed  Brother  Major  P.  K.  Roots  as 
Grand  Treasurer  to  fill  the  vacancy  caused  by  the  death  of 
Brother  Kramer. 


MASONRY  IN  ARKANSAS 


187 


BIENNIAL  SESSIONS. 

At  the  session  of  1898,  it  was  found  necessary  to  take 
some  urgent  means  to  pay  the  debt  upon  the  Masonic 
Temple,  as  the  interest  was  absorbing  the  income  of  all 
the  Grand  Bodies. 

Several  propositions  were  made  to  relieve  the  situa- 
tion and  finally  it  was  voted  that  the  ' '  Constitution  be  so 
amended  as  to  allow  biennial  instead  of  annual  sessions, 
until  three  annual  meetings  be  omitted. "  So  that  the 
annual  meetings  of  1899,  1901,  and  1903,  were  skipped  and 
the  revenue  saved  from  not  holding  these  three  sessions 
paid  the  debt. 

STATE  CAPITOL. 

On  November  27,  1900,  the  Grand  Lodge  was  called  in 
special  session  to  lay  the  corner-stone  of  the  new  Arkansas 
State  Capitol.    Harry  EL  Myers,  Grand  Master,  presided. 

ROLL  OF  THE  DEAD. 

The  Grand  Lodge  of  1902  adopted  a  very  touching  cus- 
tom of  calling  the  roll  of  the  departed  Past  Grand  Mas- 
ters at  the  opening  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  and  giving  the 
Funeral  Grand  Honors  in  their  memory. 

MASONIC  HOME. 

In  1903  the  editor  of  the  Masonic  Trowel  called  atten- 
tion to  the  need  of  a  home  for  the  orphans  of  Masons  in 
Arkansas. 

In  the  January,  1904,  issue  of  the  Trowel,  J.  E.  Thorn- 
burgh,  writer  of  the  "Ringlets"  in  the  Masonic  Trowel, 
requested  expressions  from  Masons  of  Arkansas  as  to 
whether  a  Masonic  Home  was  desired  or  not. 

In  response,  the  April  (1904)  Trowel  contained  two 
very  excellent  letters  in  favor  of  the  Home,  one  from 
Brother  Oscar  Meek,  Witt  Springs,  and  the  other  from 


188  FREEMASONRY— WHEN,  WHERE,  HOW? 


Brother  Jacob  Trieber,  Little  Rock.  Each  made  sugges- 
tions as  to  the  plan  of  establishing  and  running  the  insti- 
tution. 

In  the  April  (1904)  Trowel  there  was  a  report  of  the 
first  money  raised  in  anticipation  of  the  project  to  build 
a  Home.  It  was  one  hundred  dollars  raised  by  Esther 
Chapter,  0.  E.  S.,  Little  Rock.  Soon  thereafter,  Magnolia 
Lodge,  Little  Rock,  made  an  apropriation  of  $25.00  and 
Bethel  Lodge  at  Gravette,  $5.00,  for  the  same  purpose. 

At  the  session  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  November,  1904, 
Grand  Master  John  T.  Hicks  discussed  the  subject  at 
length  in  his  address  and  recommended  the  appointment  of 
a  commission  to  take  preliminary  steps  for  the  establish- 
ment of  a  Home  for  unfortunate  Masons,  their  widows 
and  orphans,  and  report  at  the  next  Grand  Lodge. 

At  the  same  session,  Grand  Secretary  Fay  Hemp- 
stead called  attention  to  the  subject,  in  his  report,  and 
urged  action. 

The  subject  was  referred  to  a  special  committee  com- 
posed of  C.  A.  Bridewell,  Jacob  Trieber,  C.  E.  Rosen- 
baum,  George  T.  Sparks,  and  E.  A.  McCulloch.  The  com- 
mittee reported  that  the  time  of  the  meeting  of  the  Grand 
Lodge  was  too  limited  for  them  to  duly  consider  the  mat- 
ter, and  asked  that  the  committee  be  given  authority  to 
report  to  the  next  session  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  which  was 
granted. 

At  the  session  of  1905,  the  committee  presented  an 
Edict  for  the  establishment  of  an  Orphans'  Home.  It  pro- 
vided for  competitive  bids  for  its  location.  The  Edict  was 
adopted,  and  C.  A.  Bridewell,  George  Thornburgh,  and 
J.  A.  Kennerly  were  chosen  to  nominate  five  Trustees  for 
the  " Masonic  Orphans'  Home."  They  nominated  as  fol- 
lows: For  one  year,  John  T.  Hicks;  for  two  years,  John 
Q.  Wolfe;  for  three  years,  Charles  E.  Rosenbaum;  for 
four  years,  S.  T.  Rowe,  and  for  five  years,  C.  A.  Bridewell. 

The  Edict  provided  that  the  Grand  Chapter  of  the 
Order  of  the  Eastern  Star  should  have  two  members  on 


MASONRY  IN  ARKANSAS 


189 


the  Board  of  Trustees  and  Mrs.  Julia  M.  Gill  and  Mrs. 
Alice  Brouse  were  chosen  as  such  members. 

The  Trustees,  after  duly  considering  the  inducements 
offered  by  various  towns  and  cities,  located  the  institution 
at  Batesville,  on  a  commanding  site  overlooking  a  beautiful 
valley. 

On  September  30,  in  the  presence  of  a  large  number  of 
Masons  and  others,  the  Orphans'  Home  was  dedicated.  The 
Grand  Lodge  was  opened  in  one  of  the  rooms  of  the  Home, 
after  which  a  procession  was  formed,  headed  by  the  band 
from  the  I.  O.  O.  F.  Orphans'  Home,  and  made  a  circuit 
of  the  building,  halting  at  the  front,  where  the  dedica- 
tory services  were  held.  The  invocation  was  by  George 
Thornburgh,  acting  Grand  Chaplain;  the  presentation  of 
the  Home  by  C.  E.  Rosenbaum,  President,  to  E.  A.  Mc- 
Culloch,  Grand  Master,  who  accepted  the  building  in  the 
name  of  the  Grand  Lodge.  Brothers  C.  A.  Bridewell,  S. 
M.  Casey,  John  T.  Hicks,  and  Fay  Hempstead,  delivered 
addresses. 

The  money  necessary  to  furnish  the  Home  was  donated 
in  response  to  the  call  of  Brother  Rosenbaum,  by  Lodges, 
Eastern  Star  Chapters,  and  other  subordinate  Masonic 
bodies. 

The  Royal  Arch  Grand  Chapter  and  the  Grand  Com- 
mandery  Knights  Templar  have  been  generously  liberal 
in  appropriating  money  to  furnish  and  support  the  Home. 

The  Grand  Lodge  of  1910  changed  the  name  from 
" Masonic  Orphans'  Home"  to  " Masonic  Orphans'  Home 
and  School." 

THE  RITUAL. 

The  esoteric  or  secret  ceremony  of  a  Lodge  or  other 
Masonic  body  is  called  the  "Ritual."  In  Arkansas  and 
most  other  jurisdictions  no  part  of  the  Ritual  of  the  first 
three  degrees  can  be  written,  not  even  in  cypher  or  char- 
acters, but  must  be  contained  in  the  faithful  breast,  and 
communicated  by  the  instructive  tongue.  In  the  infancy 
of  the  symbolic  system,  the  secrets  of  the  Order  were  com- 


190 


FREEMASONRY — WHEN,  WHERE,  HOW? 


niunicated  in  such  form  of  language  as  the  presiding  of- 
ficer could  command.  If  he  was  gifted,  and  his  mind  was 
well  stored  with  the  lessons  of  Masonry,  his  explanations 
would  be  full  and  interesting.  If,  on  the  other  hand,  he 
was  not  so  gifted,  his  wrork  would  be  lacking.  Simul- 
taneously with  the  publication  of  the  book  of  Constitu- 
tions, Dr.  Anderson,  assisted  by  Dr.  DeSaguliers,  arranged 
the  lectures  for  the  first  time,  in  the  form  of  questions  and 
answers.  The  questions  of  the  first  lecture  extended  to 
great  length,  but  the  replies  were  short.  The  second  was 
shorter,  and  the  third  contained  only  a  few  questions.  The 
Grand  Lodge  of  England  adopted  these  forms  and  ordered 
them  to  be  given  in  all  the  Lodges.  In  a  few  years  the  im- 
perfections of  these  lectures  called  for  revision.  This  was 
accomplished  in  1732,  by  Martin  Clare,  an  eminent  Ma- 
son. Clare's  amendments  consisted  of  a  few  moral  and 
spiritual  admonitions  and  the  insertion  of  a  simple  allusion 
to  the  human  senses  and  to  Jacob 's  ladder. 

A  few  years  later,  Thomas  Dunckerly,  a  very  intel- 
ligent Mason,  improved  the  lectures.  Among  other  things 
he  gave  to  the  theological  ladder  its  three  most  important 
rounds.  Dunckerly 's  lectures  were  improved  somewhat  in 
1763,  by  Kev.  William  Hutchinson.  Hutchinson  intro- 
duced the  three  pillars — wisdom,  strength,  and  beauty— as 
supports  of  a  Lodge.  He  also  introduced  the  cardinal  vir- 
tues— prudence,  fortitude,  temperance,  and  justice. 

In  1772,  the  lectures  were  revised  and  greatly  im- 
proved by  William  Preston.  At  the  union  of  the  two  Grand 
Lodges  of  England  in  1813,  a  committee  was  appointed 
of  which  Dr.  Henning  was  the  chairman,  who  compiled 
the  form  now  generally  used  in  English  Lodges,  and  known 
as  the  Henning  lectures. 

The  Henning  lectures  differ  widely  from  those  of 
Preston,  and  from  all  others  previously  introduced. 
A  few  of  these  differences  may  properly  be  mentioned. 
English  Lodges  are  now  dedicated  to  Moses  and  Solomon, 
instead  of  to  the  two  Saints  John,  as  before,  and  their  Ma- 


MASONRY  IN  ARKANSAS 


191 


sonic  festival  falls  on  the  Wednesday  following  St. 
George's  Day — April  23 — ttiat  Saint  being  the  Patron  of 
England.  The  symbolic  working  tools  of  an  E.  A.  are 
"a  24-inch  rule,  a  gavel,  and  a  chisel.' '  Those  of  a  M.  M. 
are  "a  pair  of  compasses,  a  skirret,  and  a  pencil."  The 
ornaments  of  a  M.  M.'s  Lodge  are  "a  porch,  a  dormer, 
and  a  stone  pavement."  The  verbal  ritual  of  Preston 
was  introduced  into  this  country  by  two  English  breth- 
ren, who  had  been  members  of  one  of  the  principal  Lodges 
of  instruction  in  London,  one  of  whom  was  Eason.  Eason 
communicated  the  lectures  to  Thomas  Smith  Webb,  an  ac- 
complished and  distinguished  Mason  of  New  England,  and 
to  Washburn. 

Webb  found  it  necesary  to  make  quite  a  number  of 
changes  in  the  Preston  work,  to  make  it  conform  to  the 
work  as  then  done  in  this  country.  No  name  is  better 
known  to  American  Masonic  history  than  that  of  Webb, 
who  was  the  inventor  of  the  work  as  now  done  in  this 
country.  He  was  largely  instrumental  in  separating  the 
Royal  Arch  degrees  from  the  Blue  Lodge  degrees,  and 
putting  them  into  a  system  called  the  Capitular. 

Brother  Washburn  sat  side  by  side  with  Webb  in 
learning  the  lectures  as  brought  from  England  by  Eason. 

Brother  Samuel  Reed,  an  eminent  Mason,  of  Cincin- 
nati, Ohio,  and  many  years  Grand  Lecturer  of  Ohio,  re- 
ceived from  Brother  Washburn  the  Preston- Webb  work. 
In  1850,  Brother  E.  H.  English,  as  Grand  Master  of  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  Arkansas,  invited  Brother  Reed  to  come 
to  Arkansas  and  teach  the  work.  Brother  Reed  accepted 
the  invitation,  and  with  Brothers  English,  Whitfield,  and 
Somerville,  visited  a  large  number  of  the  Lodges,  thor- 
oughly teaching  and  instructing  them.  The  Grand  Lodge 
of  Arkansas,  at  its  meeting  in  November,  1850,  adopted  the 
work  as  communicated  by  Brother  Reed,  and  it  is  the  work 
and  lectures  now  taught  in  Arkansas,  with  some  changes. 

We  trace  the  Arkansas  work  from  the  fountain  head 
as  follows:    Anderson  and  DeSaguliers,  the  authors  in 


192  FREEMAiSONRY— WHEN,  WHERE,  HOW? 


England,  through  Dunckerly  and  Hutchinson  to  Preston. 
From  Preston  across  the  ocean  by  Eason  to  Webb  and 
Washburn  in  America;  from  Washburn  to  Reed  and  Reed 
to  English,  Whitfield,  and  Somerville.  George  A.  Dannelly, 
for  many  years  Grand  Lecturer,  learned  the  work  from 
English  and  taught  it  to  John  M.  Oathout,  who  as  Grand 
Lecturer  many  years,  gave  it  to  the  Lodges  and  to  his 
successor,  Baker  Clark,  the  present  efficient  and  justly 
popular  Grand  Lecturer.  Brothers  Oathout  and  Clark 
had  the  approval  of  the  Custodians  of  the  Secret  Work 
before  they  were  allowed  to  teach  it.  (See  Secret  Work 
and  Custodians.) 

MONITOR. 

A  monitor  is  one  who  gives  advice  or  instruction.  A 
Masonic  Monitor  is  a  book  which  contains  the  exoteric 
or  written  portions  of  the  ceremonies,  called  the  Moni- 
torial part. 

Among  the  first  Monitors  were  those  of  Preston  in 
1772,  Webb  in  1797,  Cross  in  1819,  Mackey  in  1852,  and 
Sickles  in  1866. 

This  writer  has  one  of  the  old  Monitors  written  by 
Webb,  in  1815.  In  the  preface  to  this  old  Monitor,  he 
says: 

"The  observations,  upon  the  first  three  degrees,  are, 
many  of  them,  taken  from  Preston's  Illustrations  of  Ma- 
sonry, with  some  necessary  alterations.  Preston's  dis- 
tribution of  the  first  lecture  into  six,  the  second  into  four, 
and  the  third  into  twelve  sections,  not  being  agreeable  to 
the  mode  of  working  in  America,  they  are  differently 
arranged  in  this  work. 9  9 

In  Arkansas,  until  1902,  several  Monitors  were  in  use, 
mainly  Mackey 's  and  Sickles 's.  The  Grand  Lodge,  which 
met  in  November,  1902,  adopted  the  following  resolution: 

"Resolved,  That  Brother  George  Thornburgh  be  re- 
quested to  prepare  a  Monitor,  which  shall  be  adopted  as 
the  Monitor  of  this  Grand  Lodge.     When  the  proposed 


MASONRY  IN  ARKANSAS 


193 


Monitor  is  approved  by  the  Custodians  of  the  Work,  the 
Grand  Lecturer,  and  the  Grand  Master,  the  Grand  Mas- 
ter shall  be  authorized  to  recommend  it  to  the  Lodges." 

The  Monitor  prepared  in  response  to  this  resolution 
was  adopted  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  1904  as  the  exclusive 
Monitor  for  this  Jurisdiction. 


GRAND  LODGE  OFFICERS. 

GRAND  MASTERS  OF  THE  GRAND  LODGE  OP  ARKANSAS. 

Year  Residence  When 

Elected.      Name.  Business.  Elected. 

1838  William  Gilchrist*  Lawyer  Little  Rock 

1839  William  Gilchrist*  Lawyer  Little  Rock 

1840  O.  Evans*.  Merchant  Fayetteville 

1841  Alden  Sprague*  Physician  Little  Rock 

1842  Alden  Sprague  Physician  Little  Rock 

1843  Samuel  Mitchell*....,... Planter  Arkansas  County 

1844  Joseph  Grubb*  Carpenter  Little  Rock 

1845  James  McVicar*  Stone  Cutter  Little  Rock 

1846  Benjamin  P.  Jett*  Physician  Washington 

1847  D.  J.  Baldwin*  Lawyer  Little  Rock 

1848  R.  P.  Pulliam*  Lawyer  Fayetteville 

1849  E.  H.  English*  Lawyer,  Chief  Justice  Little  Rock 

1850  E.  H.  Whitfield*  Parmer,  Physician  Camden 

1851  E.  H.  Whitfield*  Farmer,  Physician  Camden 

1852  L.  E.  Barber*  Lawyer,  Clerk  Supreme  Court-Little  Rock 

1853  L.  E.  Barber*  Lawyer,  Clerk  Supreme  Court..  Little  Rock 

1854  Nat  G.  Smith*  Planter  ..Tulip 

1855  Nat  G.  Smith*  Planter  ..Tulip 

1856  D.  F.  Armstrong*  Physician  Gaily  Rock 

1857-58  L.  E.  Barber*......  Lawyer,  Clerk  Supreme  Court  

1859-68  E.  H.  English*  Lawyer,  Chief  Justice  

1869  W.  D.  Blocher*  Newspaper  Manager  Little  Rock 

1870  S.  W.  Williams*  Lawyer  Little  Rock 

1871  S.  W.  Williams*  Lawyer  Little  Rock 

1872  E.   R    Duval*  Physician  Fort  Smith 

1873  G.  A.  Dannelly*  Minister,  M.  E.  Church,  South..  Searcy 

1874  M.  L.  Bell*  Lawyer  Pine  Bluff 

1875  M.  L.  Bell*  Lawyer  Pine  Bluff 

1876  M.  M.  McGuire*  Editor  Dardanelle 

1877  J.  F.  Hill*  ..Merchant  Clarksville 

1878  George  Thornburgh  Lawyer,   Editor  Powhatan 

1879  George  Thornburgh.... Lawyer,   Editor  Powhatan 

1880  J.  !£L  Van  Hoose*  Insurance  Fayetteville 

1881  George  E.  Dodge*  Lawyer  Little  Rock 

1882  Logan  H.  Roots*  Banker  Little  Rock 

1883  John  J.  Sumpter*  Lawyer  Hot  Springs 

1884  W.  H.  H.  Clayton  Lawyer  Pine  Bluff 

1885  T.  C.  Humphrey  Lawyer  Paris 

1886  W.  H.  Gee*  Banker  Dardanelle 

1887  W.  H.  Gee  Banker  Dardanelle 

1888  R.  H.  Taylor....,  Physician  Hot  Springs 

T889  J.  W.  Sorrels*  Physician  Mansfield 

1890  W.  K.  Ramsey*  Banker  Camden 

1891  C.  A.  Bridewell  Lawyer  ......Hope 

1892  R.  J.  Laughlin*  Insurance  Bentonville 

1893  J.  M.  Harkey*  Merchant  Russellville 

1894  N.  P.  Richmond  Lawyer  Malvern 


194  FREEMASONRY— WHEN,  WHERE,  HOW! 


Year 
Elected. 

1895 
1896 
1897 
1898 
1900 
1902 
1904 
1905 
1906 
1907 
1908 
1909 
1910 
1911 
1912 
1913 


Residence  When 
Elected. 


Name.  Business. 
A.  G.  Washburn  Minister,  Baptist  Church  Waldron 


C.  C.  Ayres... ,.  Merchant  Fort  Smith 

J.  B.  Baker  Lawyer  r  .„  ..Melbourne 

Robert  M.  Smith*  Railway  Agent  Hot  Springs 

Harry  H.  Myers  Lawyer  Brinkley 

John  T.  Hicks  Lawyer  Searcy 

Styles  T.  Rowe*  Lawyer  Greenwood 

A.  B.  Grace  Lawyer  Pine  Bluff 

Jacob  Trieber  Lawyer,  U.  S.  Judge  Little  Rock 

M.  W.  Greeson  Lawyer  Prescott 

E.  A.  McCulloch  Lawyer,  Chief  Justice  Marianna 

A.  J.  Witt  Lawyer  Pocahontas 

F.  G.  Lindsey  Lawyer  Bentonville 

Mark  P.  Olney  Merchant  Mena 

W.  T.  Hammock  Lawyer  Quitman 

David  I.  Mills  Druggist  Pine  Bluff 

*Dead. 

GRAND  LECTURERS  OF  THE  GRAND  LODGE  OF  ARKANSAS. 


1841-43  William  Gilchrist*  1867 

1844  ......  B.  J.  Baldwin*  1868 

1845   J.  M.  Smith*  1869 

1846   J.  A.  Watson*  1870 

1851-52....,  W.  H.  Sutton*  1872 

1853   W.  D.  Lee*  1873 

1855-56....  E.  H.  English*  1874 

1857   E.  H.  Whitfield*  1875 

1858  „...Ben  Blakeney*  1876 

1859   W.  S.  Leake*  1877 

1860   E.  H.  Whitfield*  1885 

1861   Ben  Blakeney*  1887 

1862   E.  H.  Whitfield*  1890 

1863-65  A.  B.  Williams*  1892 

1866   E.  H.  Whitfield*  1912 

*Dead. 


 M.  L.  Bell* 

 S.  W.  Williams* 

 E.  H.  English* 

71...,  M.  L.  Bell* 

 G.  A.  Dannelly* 

 J.  W.  Rison* 

 E.  H.  English* 

 G.  A.  Dannelly* 

 S.  W.  Williams* 

84  G.  A.  Dannelly* 

86  Clem  McCulloch* 

89  D.  B.  Warren* 

91  G.  A.  Dannelly* 

1911......  John  M.  Oathout* 

 Baker  Clark 


GRAND  ORATORS  OF  THE  GRAND  LODGE  OF  ARKANSAS. 


1845   ,  B.  F.  Truslow* 

1852   .....G.    O.  Watkins* 

1853   A.  A.  Smith* 

1854   S.  G.  Smith* 

1855   „  W.  K.  Patterson* 

1856   G.  A.  Gallagher* 

1857-58  ,E.  H.  English* 

1859   C.  B.  Mitchell* 

1860   W.  H.  Sutton* 

1861   W.  P.  Lemoyne* 

1862   R.  W.  Johnson* 

1863   W.  H.  Sutton* 

1864  Albert  Pike* 

1865   G.  A.  Dannelly* 

1866   J.  R.  Eakin* 

1867   S.  W.  Williams* 

1868   D.  Nichols* 

1869   M.  L.  Bell* 

1870   0.  C.  Gray* 

1871   .....D.  McCrae* 

1872   George  E.  Dodge* 

1873   L.  H.  Roots* 

1874   George  Thornburgh 

1875   „M.  M.  McGuire* 

1876   W.  H.  Howes* 


1877   Fay  Hempstead 

1878   R.  E.  Salle* 

1879   George  E.  Dodge* 

1880   T.  C.  McRae 

1881  '.  W.  H.  H.  Clayton 

1882   John  M.  Hewitt* 

1883   S.  W.  Williams* 

1884   R.  H.  Taylor 

1885   D.  D.  Leach 

1886   W.  M.  Mellette* 

1887   P.  D.  McCulloch,  Jr. 

1888   W.  A.  Clement* 

1889   C.  C.  Ham-by 

1890   P.  D.  McCulloch.Jr. 

1891  A.  F.  Mayberry 

1892   C.  A.  Bridewell 

1893   John  T.  Hicks 

1894   H.  H.  Myers 

1895   John  T.  Hicks 

1896   S.  T,  Rowe* 

1897   Edgar  E.  Bryant* 

1898   W.  R.  Chestnut 

1900   W.  T.  Hammock 

1902   F.  O.  Butt 

1904   F.  G.  Lindsey 


MASONRY  IN  ARKANSAS 


195 


1905   R.  A.  Rowe  1910  Tillman  Parks 

1906   W.  S.  Chastain  1911   H.  M.  Mayes 

1907   M.  J.  Manning  1912   G.  W.  Wells 

1908  ......  Pitt  Holmes  1913   Otis  T.  Wingo 

1909   S.  M.  Casey 

*Dead. 

GRAND  TREASURERS  OF  THE  GRAND  LODGE  OF  ARKANSAS, 

1838-39  A-  Sprague*  1864   John  Burt* 

1840   J.  McVicar*  1865-66  Jacob  Ash* 

1841  W.  Gilchrist*  1867-76  R.  L.  Dodge* 

1842   R.  C.  Byrd*  1877-88  George  H.  Meade* 

1843   T    Parsell*  1889-94  ,Fred  Kramer* 

1844   R*.  L.  Dodge*  1895-1904  P.  K.  Roots 

1845-46  L.  Snapp*  1905-09  C.  E.  Rosenbaum 

1847-63  R.  L.  Dodge*  1910  to  present....F.  W.  Tucker 

*Dead. 

GRAND  SECRETARIES  OF  THE  GRAND  LODGE  OF  ARKANSAS, 

1838-39  G.  C.  Watkins*  1863   W.  H.  Etter* 

1840   J.  A.  Simpson*  1864   f  J.  Montgomery* 

1841   f  James  Lawson*  1865   T.D.Merrick* 

1842-43  John  Morris*  1866-68  W.  D.  Blocher* 

1844   D.  J.  Baldwin*  1869-80  L.  E.  Barber* 

1845-60  T.D.Merrick*  1881  to  present....Fay  Hempstead 

1861-62  Jacob  Ash* 

*Dead. 

PRESENT  GRAND  OFFICERS  OF  THE  GRAND  LODGE. 

David  I.  Mills  Grand  Master 

C.  E.  Rosenbaum  ,  Deputy  Grand  Master 

L.  P.  Kemper  ,  Grand  Senior  Warden 

J.  S.  Reamey  Grand  Junior  Warden 

Baker  Clark  r  Grand  Lecturer 

Otis  Wingo  Grand  Orator 

F.  W.  Tucker  Grand  .Treasurer 

Fay  Hempstead  ,  Grand  Secretary 

Milton  Winham  Grand  Senior  Deacon 

G.  W.  Wells  Grand  Junior  Deacon 

F.  N.  Brewer  ,  ,  Grand  Chaplain 

W.   I.   Whitwell  Grand  Tyler 


There  are  557  Lodges  and  22,500  members  in  Arkan- 
sas. 


CAPITULAR  MASONRY  IN  ARKANSAS. 


In  1841  the  General  Grand  High  Priest  of  the  United 
States  issued  his  dispensation  for  Far  West  Chapter  at  Fay- 
etteville,  Washington  County,  Arkansas.  The  petitioners 
for  the  Chapter  were  Rev.  Joel  Haden,  Samuel  Harris, 
William  Shoman,  Onesimus  Evans,  Thomas  J.  Pollard, 
Richard  P.  Pulliam,  Alfred  A.  Stirman,  Thomas  Bean,  and 
Abraham  Whinnery. 

In  1842  a  charter  was  granted  Par  West  Chapter  by 
the  General  Grand  Chapter,  and  thus  was  Royal  Arch 
Masonry  planted  in  Arkansas. 

On  the  21st  day  of  June,  1844,  Union  Chapter,  at 
Little  Rock,  was  established  by  dispensation  issued  by  the 
General  Grand  King  of  the  United  States,  Joseph  K. 
Stapleton,  to  George  P.  Lemmon  as  High  Priest,  Joseph 
Grubb  as  King,  and  C.  J.  Krebs  as  Scribe.  On  the  13th 
day  of  September,  1844,  the  charter  to  Union  Chapter  was 
granted. 

Friendship,  Union  County,  and  Whitfield  at  Camden 
were  next  organized. 

GRAND  CHAPTER. 

On  the  28th  of  April,  1851,  a  convention  of  the  Chap- 
ters was  held  for  the  purpose  of  organizing  a  Grand  Chap- 
ter for  the  State  of  Arkansas.  Three  Chapters,  by  their 
representatives,  were  present,  viz: 

Union  Chapter,  by  E.  H.  English,  High  Priest;  Albert 
Pike,  King,  and  C.  J.  Krebs,  Scribe. 

Friendship  Chapter,  by  F.  Courtney,  High  Priest; 
D.  J.  Baldwin,  proxy  for  King,  and  W.  H.  Hines,  Scribe. 

Whitfield  Chapter,  by  E.  H.  Whitfield,  High  Priest; 
C.  C.  Scott,  King,  and  James  A.  Warren,  Scribe. 

The  convention  elected  E.  H.  English  Grand  High 
Priest;  Franklin  Courtney,  Deputy  Grand  High  Priest; 


CAPITULAR  MASONRY  IN  ARKANSAS  197 


C.  C.  Scott,  Grand  King;  Albert  Pike,  Grand  Scribe;  L.  E. 
Barber,  Grand  Secretary,  and  R.  L.  Dodge,  Grand  Treas- 
urer. The  officers  were  installed  by  Companion  E.  H. 
Whitfield.  A  constitution  was  adopted  and  Far  West 
Chapter  was  invited  to  unite.  The  convention  then  ad- 
journed and  the  Grand  Chapter,  after  one  day's  session, 
closed  until  its  next  regular  convocation. 

Far  West  Chapter,  though  not  represented,  was  un- 
derstood to  be  in  sympathy  with  the  organization  of  the 
Grand  Chapter,  and  it  was  accordingly  given  its  proper 
place  as  the  first  Chapter  organized  in  the  State,  and  the 
Chapters  were  therefore  numbered  as  follows :  Far  West, 
No.  1;  Union,  No.  2;  Friendship,  No.  3,  and  Whitfield, 
No.  4. 

Far  West  Chapter  is  still  alive  and  in  a  prosperous 
condition,  having  122  members.  Union  Chapter  is  also  stiJl 
active  and  very  prosperous,  having  a  membership  of  248. 
Friendship  No.  3,  which  was  located  at  El  Dorado,  Union 
County,  was  moved  to  Lisbon,  Union  County.  It  was  rep- 
resented the  last  time  in  1870,  by  J.  A.  Morgan,  High 
Priest.  After  that  it  failed  to  pay  dues  and  its  charter 
was  taken  from  it  by  order  of  the  Grand  Chapter  of 
1874.  Whitfield  No.  4  seems  to  have  had  a  rough  road  to 
travel,  for  in  1867  I  find  that  a  dispensation  was  granted 
to  E.  H.  Whitfield,  W.  H.  Browning,  J.  T.  Bearden,  and 
others,  for  another  Chapter  in  Camden,  to  be  called  English 
Chapter.  It  was  granted  a  charter  by  the  Grand  Chapter 
of  1867,  and  numbered  38.  E.  H.  Whitfield,  for  whom 
Whitfield  Chapter  was  named,  was  the  High  Priest  of 
English  Chapter;  W.  H.  Browning,  King;  John  T.  Bear- 
den, Scribe;  E.  A.  Warren,  Jr.,  Captain  of  the  Host,  and 
C.  A.  Bridewell,  Principal  Sojourner.  English  Chapter 
surrendered  its  charter  in  1872. 

Evidently  there  had  been  divisions  among  the  Royal 
Arch  Masons  at  Camden,  which  resulted  in  the  organiza- 
tion of  English  Chapter  and  which  were  doubtless,  by 
the  use  of  the  Masonic  Trowel,  cemented,  and  English  Chap- 


19S 


FREEMASONRY — WHEN,  WHERE,  HOW? 


ter  was  allowed  to  go  out  of  existence,  and  by  request  of 
its  members,  its  jewels  and  property  were  turned  over  to 
Whitfield  Chapter.  Whitfield  Chapter  prospered  for  a 
number  of  years,  when  perhaps  for  lack  of  a  leader  in  this 
special  branch  of  Masonry,  interest  waned.  In  1910  a 
misunderstanding  developed  between  the  Chapter  and  the 
Grand  Chapter,  which  resulted  in  the  arrest  of  the  charter 
of  Whitfield  Chapter  by  the  Grand  Chapter  of  1911.  At 
the  time  it  had  about  30  members,  among  whom  were  some 
of  the  best  Masons  in  and  about  Camden. 

The  Chapter  at  Van  Buren  is  numbered  3,  wThich  is 
unfortunate,  as  it  indicates  that  it  was  the  third  Chap- 
ter to  be  organized  in  the  State.  The  fact  is  that  it 
was  organized  after  many  others.  The  Chapters  which  fol- 
lowed in  the  order  of  their  establishment,  after  the  four 
original  Chapters,  were : 

Des  Arc  Chapter  No.  5,  at  Des  Arc.  (Dead.) 

Eureka  Chapter  No.  6,  Pigeon  Hill,  Union  County. 
(Dead.) 

Lafayette  Chapter  No.  7,  at  Pine  Bluff. 
Bellevue  Chapter  No.  8,  Fort  Smith. 
Batesville  Chapter  No.  9,  Batesville. 
Woodlawn    Chapter   No.    10,    WToodlawn,  Ouachita 
County.  (Dead.) 

Magnolia  Chapter  No.  11,  Magnolia.  (Dead.  There  is 
a  Chapter  at  Magnolia  but  it  was  organized  in  later 
years.) 

Olive  Chapter  No.  12,  Berlin,  Ashley  County.  (It 
is  now  at  Hamburg.) 

Monticello  Chapter  No.  13,  Monticello.  (Dead.  There 
is  a  Chapter  at  Monticello  but  it  was  organized  later.) 

Warren  Chapter  No.  14.  (Dead.) 

Lamartine  Chapter  No.  15,  Lamartine,  Columbia 
County.  (Dead.  This  number,  15,  was  given  to  Benton  - 
ville  Chapter,  which  was  organized  many  years  later.) 


CAPITULAE  MASONEY  IN  AEKANSAS 


199 


Hood  Chapter  No.  16,  Forrest  Home,  Monroe  County. 
(Name  changed  to  ' 6 Forrest  Home"  and  moved  to  Clar- 
endon.) 

Gray  Chapter  No.  17,  Princeton,  Dallas  County. 
(Dead.) 

Paraclifta  Chapter  No.  18,  Paraclifta,  Sevier  County, 
(Dead.) 

Tillman  Chapter  No.  19,  Searcy.  (Dead.) 

Hunts  ville  Chapter  No.  20,  Huntsville,  Madison 
County.  (Dead.) 

Merrick  Chapter  No.  21,  Arkadelphia. 

Falcon  Chapter  No.  22,  Falcon,  Columbia  County. 
(Dead.) 

Washington  Chapter  No.  23,  Washington,  Hempstead 
County.    (Now  at  Hope.) 

Hill  Chapter  No.  24,  Center  Point.  (Now  at  Nash- 
ville.) 

Branson  Chapter  No.  25,  Selma,  Drew  County. 
(Dead.) 

Stony  Point  Chapter  No.  26,  Stony  Point,  White 
County.  (Dead.) 

Western  Star  Chapter  No.  27,  Hampton,  Calhoun 
County.  (Dead.) 

Austin  Chapter  No.  28,  Austin,  Lonoke  County. 
(Dead.) 

Barber  Chapter  No.  29,  South  Fork,  Clark  County. 
(Now  at  Gurdon.) 

'Quitman  Chapter  No.  30,  Quitman. 

Oriental  Chapter  No.  31,  Hamburg.  (Dead.  Number 
31  was  given  to  Lonoke  Chapter  at  Lonoke.) 

Dover  Chapter  No.  32,  Dover,  Pope  County.  (Dead.) 

Atlanta  Chapter  No.  33,  Atlanta,  Columbia  County. 
(Dead.) 

Pythagoras  Chapter  No.  34,  Powhatan,  Lawrence 
County.  (Dead.) 


200  FBEEMASONRY — WHEN,  WHERE,  HOW? 


El  Dorado  Chapter  No.  35,  El  Dorado.  (Dead. 
There  is  a  Chapter  at  El  Dorado  but  it  was  organized  in 
recent  years.) 

Springfield  Chapter  No.  36,  Springfield,  Conway 
County.  (Dead.) 

Augusta  Chapter  No.  37,  Augusta. 

English  Chapter  No.  38,  Camden.  (Dead.  Number 
38  given  to  Prescott  Chapter.) 

Dalcho  Chapter  No.  39,  Ebenezer,  Hempstead  County. 
(Dead.) 

Jackson  Chapter  No.  40,  Jacksonport.  (Now  at  New- 
port.) 

Mineral  Springs  Chapter  No.  41,  Mineral  Springs, 
Howard  County.  (Dead.) 

Blocher  Chapter  No.  42,  Portland,  Ashley  County. 
(Dead.) 

Mountain  Home  Chapter  No.  43,  Mountain  Home. 
(Now  at  Cotter.) 

Southwest  Chapter  No.  44,  Bright  Star. 

Providence  Chapter  No.  45,  Mount  Moriah,  Ouachita 
County.  (Dead.) 

Helena  Chapter  No.  46,  Helena. 

Hot  Springs  Chapter  No.  47,  Hot  Springs. 

A.  H.  Reynolds  Chapter  No.  48,  DeWitt.  (Dead.) 

Clarksville  Chapter  No.  49,  Clarksville. 

Rural  Chapter  No.  50,  Evening  Shade. 

This  brings  the  list  up  to  the  end  of  the  year  1870. 

At  the  close  of  the  Civil  War,  the  Chapters,  like 
all  the  other  Masonic  bodies,  were  found  to  be  in  bad  con- 
dition, many  of  them  in  fact  extinct. 

At  the  first  session  of  the  Grand  Chapter,  after  peace 
had  been  declared,  October,  1866,  only  twelve  Chapters 
were  represented,  as  follows: 

Union  Chapter  No.  2,  by  E.  H.  English  and  J.  P. 
Earns. 

Whitfield  Chapter  No.  4,  by  E.  H.  Whitfield  and 
W.  N.  Hill. 


CAPITULAR  MASONRY  IN  ARKANSAS  201 


Eureka  Chapter  No.  6,  by  J.  W.  Hill. 
Lafayette  Chapter  No.  7,  by  M.  L.  Bell.  . 
Bellevue  Chapter  No.  8,  by  H.  P.  Nickerson. 
Batesville  Chapter  No.  9,  by  A.  M.  Sawyer. 
Woodlawn  Chapter  No.  10,  by  B.  F.  Riddick. 
Gray  Chapter  No.  17,  by  M.  M.  Duffey  and  F.  J. 
Cameron. 

Tillman  Chapter  No.  19,  by  George  A.  Dannelly,  I.  M. 
Moore,  and  Will  Hicks. 

Washington  Chapter  No.  23,  by  J.  R.  Eakin  and  T.  H. 
Simms. 

Branson  Chapter  No.  25,  by  T.  S.  Newman. 

Austin  Chapter  No.  28,  by  W.  K.  Dobbins. 

The  Grand  Officers  present  were  L.  E.  Barber,  Grand 
HSgh  Priest;  Louis  George,  Grand  Treasurer,  and  James 
Tunnah,  Grand  Sentinel.  The  other  officers  had  either 
died  or  were  absent  for  other  reasons. 

E.  H.  Whitfield  was  appointed  Grand  King;  W.  K. 
Dobbins,  Grand  Scribe;  W.  D.  Blocher,  Grand  Secretary; 
E.  H.  English,  Grand  Captain  of  the  Host;  T.  S.  Newman, 
Grand  Principal  Sojourner;  F.  J.  Cameron,  Grand  Royal 
Arch  Captain;  I.  M.  Moore,  Grand  Master  Third  Veil; 
J.  P.  Karns,  Grand  Master  Second  Veil,  and  J.  E.  Thomp- 
son, Grand  Master  First  Veil. 

All  of  these  Grand  Officers  and  all  the  representa- 
tives have  passed  to  the  Great  Beyond,  except  Thomas  H. 
Simms,  who  at  that  time  lived  at  Washington,  but  now 
(1914)  lives  at  Texarkana. 

The  Grand  High  Priest  made  feeling  reference  to 
the  action  of  the  General  Grand  Chapter,  which  had  just 
met  and  adopted  resolutions  opening  its  arms  to  the  re- 
turn of  the  Southern  Grand  Chapters  on  an  equal  foot- 
ing and  without  the  slightest  reference  to  the  separation 
occasioned  by  the  terrible  war. 

Of  the  twelve  Chapters  represented  at  that  time, 
Union  No.  2,  Batesville  No.  9,  and  Washington  No.  23 
only  are  living.    The  receipts  of  the  Grand  Chapter  that 


202  FEEEMASONEY— WHEN,  WHEEE,  HOW? 


year  were  $220.00  of  which  $126.00  had  been  spent,  leav- 
ing $94.00  in  the  treasury.  That  was  economic  manage- 
ment. 

CRYPTIC  DEGREES  APPENDED. 

The  Grand  Chapter,  at  its  session  of  1877,  in  the 
interest  of  Council  Masonry  in  Arkansas,  passed  a  res- 
olution requesting  the  General  Grand  Chapter  to  allow 
the  Grand  Chapter  of  Arkansas  to  assume  jurisdiction 
of  the  Cryptic  degrees.  (The  reasons  and  the  details  will 
be  found  more  fully  recorded  under  the  head  of  ' '  Grand 
Council.") 

The  General  Grand  Chapter  decided  that  it  had  no 
jurisdiction  over  the  Council  degrees,  and  that  our  Grand 
Chapter  cou^d  do  as  it  pleased;  so,  on  January  11,  1879, 
the  Grand  Chapter  assumed  the  jurisdiction  of  the  Council 
degrees,  which  it  maintained  until  November  19,  1881. 
(See  Arkansas  Cryptic  History.) 

In  1892,  a  resolution  was  adopted,  which  provided  that 
the  Grand  Council  should  appoint  a  Grand  Lecturer  to 
visit  and  teach  the  Chapters. 

In  1896,  the  Grand  Chapter  passed  a  resolution  pro- 
viding that  two  substitutes  might  be  used  in  the  Royal 
Arch  Degree. 

In  1896,  the  death  of  Frederick  Kramer  was  reported, 
and  the  appointment  of  John  Brodie  to  fill  the  vacancy. 
Brother  Brodie  has  been  reelected  regularly  ever  since. 
He  is  one  of  the  best  known  and  most  enthusiastic  Masons 
in  Arkansas.  He  has  passed  the  chair  in  his  Lodge,  Chap- 
ter, and  Commandery.  He  is  an  active  worker  in  the  Scot- 
tish Rite,  having  been  honored  with  the  thirty-third  degree. 

At  the  Grand  Chapter  of  1910,  George  Thornburgh, 
John  T.  Hicks,  and  E.  A.  McCulloch  were  appointed  to 
take  the  necessary  steps  to  have  the  Grand  Chapter  incor- 
porated. They  reported  at  the  Grand  Chapter  of  1911 
that  they  had  prepared  a  bill  to  be  presented  to  the  Legis- 
lature, which  was  introduced  into  the  State  Senate  by  Hon- 
orable W.  C.  Rogers,  a  Royal  Arch  Mason,  and  was  taken 


CAPITULAR  MASONRY  IN  ARKANSAS 


203 


charge  of  in  the  House  of  Representatives  by  Honorable 
D.  E.  Barker,  a  member  of  the  Craft.  It  was  approved  by 
the  Governor  May  10,  1911,  bu;t  by  its  terms  it  did  not  go 
into  effect  until  November  23,  1911.  The  corporate  name 
is  ' 4  The  Grand  Royal  Arch  Chapter  of  Arkansas. ' ' 

HOME  FOR  AGED  MASONS  AND  DESTITUTE 
WIDOWS. 

At  the  Grand  Chapter  of  1910,  Companion  Fay  Hemp- 
stead offered  a  resolution  to  appropriate  $2,000.00  to  be 
added  to  any  fund  that  might  thereafter  be  created  by  the 
Grand  Lodge  for  the  erection  of  a  home  for  aged  afflicted 
Masons  and  destitute  widows.    The  resolution  was  adopted. 

At  the  Grand  Lodge  of  1911,  Grand  Master  F.  G.  Lind- 
sey  strongly  recommended  that  steps  be  taken  to  build  a 
suitable  home  for  aged,  indigent  Masons  and  their  wives 
and  widows.  Since  that,  nothing  further  has  been  done  or 
said  about  it. 

GRAND  CHAPTER  OFFICERS. 

GRAND   HIGH  PRIESTS  OF   THE   GRAND  CHAPTER. 


1850   E.  H.  English* 

1851   H.  D.  Marr* 

1852   T.  D.  Merrick* 

1853-54  Albert  Pike* 

1855-56  Luke  E.  Barber* 

1857-58  E.  H.  English* 

1859   T.  D.  Merrick* 

1860   E.  H.  Whitfield* 

1861-68  Luke  E.  Barber* 

1869-70  E.  H.  English* 

1871-72  G.  A.  Dannelly* 

1873-74  S.  W.  Williams* 

1875-76...,-  E.  R.  Duval* 

1877   J.  W.  Jordan* 

1878-79  M.  M.  McGuire* 

1880   George  Thornburgh 

1881   C.  H.  Stone 

1882   John  J.  Sumpter* 

1883   ,  G.  L.  Kimball* 

1884   L.  H.  Roots* 

1885   J.  H.  Van  Hoose* 

1886   W.  W.  Garland* 

1887   W.  K.  Ramsey* 

1888   W.  H.  Gee* 


*Dead 


1889   Samuel  P'eete* 

1890   C.  N.  Rix 

1891   Fay  Hempstead 

1892   J.  M.  Pinnell* 

1893   John  C.  Bone 

1894   J.  M.  Harkey* 

1895   r  J.  H.  Roten 

1896   George  P.  Taylor* 

1897   A.  B.  Grace 

1898   J.  H.  Kennerly 

1899   J.  S.  Westerfield 

1900   T.  H.  Jones* 

1901  R.  M.  Carter 

1902   J.  B.  Baker 

1903   G.  J.  Klock* 

1904   J.  R.  Donnell 

1905   N.  P.  Richmond 

1906   John  T.  Hicks 

1907   e  S.  H.  Davidson* 

1908   R.  B.  Hogin* 

1909   J.  L.  Davis 

1910   Mark  P.  Olney 

1911   John  M.  Oathout* 

1912   Robert  Liddell 


204  FREEMASONRY— WHEN,  WHERE,  HOW? 


GRAND  TREASURERS  OF  THE  GRAND  CHAPTER. 

1850-52....r  R.  L.  Dodge*  1862   ,  R.  S.  Yerkes* 

1853-56  A.  W.  Webb*  1863-68  Louis  George* 

1857-  58  J.  H.  Newbern*        1869-76  R.  L.  Dodge* 

1859   C.  McFherson*  1877-89  G.  H.  Meade* 

1860   R.   S.  Yerkes*  1890-95  Fred  Kramer* 

1861   Louis  George*  1896  to  present. John  Brodie 

*Dead 

GRAND   SECRETARIES  OF  THE  GRAND  CHAPTER. 

1850-53  Luke  E.  Barber*        1865   T.  D.  Merrick* 

1854  J.  E.  Reardon*  1866-68  W.  D.  Blocher* 

1855-57  A.  S.  Huey*  1869-80  L.  E.  Barber* 

1858-  59  W.  L.  D.  Williams*  1881-98....f  James  A.  Henry* 

1860   J.  W.  Findley*  1899  to  present. John  C.  Bone 

1861-64  G.  W.  McCown* 

*Dead. 

PRESENT  OFFICERS   OF   THE  GRAND  CHAPTER. 

W.  R.  Chestnut  Grand  High  Priest. 

Z.  N.  Short  ,  Deputy  Grand  High  Priest. 

Durand    Whipple  Grand  King. 

Allen  Winham  Grand  Scribe. 

John  Brodie  .....Grand  Treasurer. 

John  C.  Bone  Grand  Secretary. 

F.  E.  Taylor  Grand  Chaplain. 

T.  J.  Woods\.  Grand  Captain  of  the  Host. 

David  I.   Mills  Grand  Principal  Sojourner. 

E.  A.  McCulloch  Grand  Royal  Arch  Captain. 

N.   C.  McCrary  Grand  Master  Third  Veil. 

G.  B.  Johnson  Grand  Master  Second  Veil. 

James  W.  Oglesby  Grand  Master  First  Veil. 

E.  G.  Schoonover  Grand  Marshal. 

W.  I.  Whitwell  Grand  Sentinel. 

F.  E.   Taylor  Grand  Lecturer. 

There  are  now  85  Chapters  and  4,350  members  in  the 
state. 


HIGH  PRIESTHOOD  IN  ARKANSAS. 


The  Order  of  High  Priesthood  is  conferred  on  those 
who  are  elected  to  preside  over  Royal  Arch  Chapters.  For- 
merly three  regularly  anointed  High  Priests  could  meet 
anywhere  and  form  a  Council  and  confer  the  Order.  There 
was  no  organization,  either  subordinate  or  Grand,  in 
Arkansas  for  many  years. 

The  first  regular  Council  held  in  the  State  was  at 
Little  Rock,  January  17,  1853,  presided  over  by  Samuel 
Reed,  with  William  H.  Field,  Vice  President,  and  A.  W. 
Webb,  Recorder.  Companions  English  and  Merrick  were 
then  anointed.  The  next  Council  was  February  16,  1853, 
at  which  L.  E.  Barber  was  anointed.  Other  meetings  were 
held  irregularly  as  occasion  demanded. 

On  November  6,  1867,  the  following  named,  who  had 
received  the  Order,  met  at  Little  Rock  to  organize  perma- 
nently, to  wit:  E.  H.  English  and  L.  E.  Barber,  of  Union 
Chapter  No.  2;  M.  L.  Bell,  of  Lafayette  Chapter  No.  7; 
J.  W.  Jordan,  of  Magnolia  Chapter  No.  11;  P.  R.  Smith 
and  C.  W.  Millerd,  of  Mbnticello  Chapter  No.  13;  W.  D. 
Neely,  of  Merrick  Chapter  No.  21;  W.  E.  Mills,  of  Falcon. 
Chapter  No.  22;  W.  S.  Whaley,  of  Branson  Chapter  No. 
25;  W.  K.  Dobbins,  of  Austin  Chapter  No.  28,  and  E.  H. 
Whitfield,  of  English  Chapter  No.  38. 

L.  E.  Barber  was  elected  Chairman,  and  M.  L.  Bell, 
Secretary,  and  the  Companions  formed  a  Convention  of 
High  Priests. 

CONSTITUTION. 

The  following  Constitution  was  adopted : 

Article  1.    This  Council  shall  be  known  as  "The 

Grand  Council  of  the  Order  of  High  Priesthood  for  the 

State  of  Arkansas." 

Article  2.    The  officers  of  this  body  shall  be  a  M.  E. 

Grand  President,  M.  E.  Grand  Vice  President,  M.  R.  Grand 

Chaplain,  E.  Grand  Recorder,  E.  Grand  Treasurer,  E. 


206 


FREEMASONRY— WHEN,  WHERE,  HOW? 


Grand  Master  of  Ceremonies,  E.  Grand  Conductor,  E. 
Grand  Herald,  E.  Grand  Steward. 

Article  3.  The  annual  meetings  of  this  Grand  Coun- 
cil shall  be  held  during  the  annual  sessions  of  the  Grand 
Eoyal  Arch  Chapter  of  the  State  of  Arkansas,  at  which 
time  the  officers  shall  be  elected;  but  the  M.  E.  Grand  Pres- 
ident may,  at  any  time,  call  special  meetings. 

Article  4.  Applicants  may  be  elected  to  receive  the 
Order  of  High  Priesthood  by  petitioning  the  Grand  Coun- 
cil in  writing,  and  presenting  satisfactory  evidence  that 
they  are  High  Priests  elect,  or  have  served  one  term  as 
such,  in  a  just  and  legally  constituted  Chapter  of  Royal 
Arch  Masons,  working  under  charter.  A  fee  of  one  dollar 
shall  accompany  the  petition.  (Amended  in  1905  to  in- 
clude High  Priests  of  U.  D.  Chapters.) 

Article  5.  Companions  receiving  the  Order  in  this 
Council  and  anointed  High  Priests,  who  shall  be  elected 
to  membership,  may  become  members  by  signing  the  Con- 
stitution. 

Article  6.  All  votes  upon  petitions  shall  be  by  secret 
ballot,  and  one  negative  shall  be  sufficient  to  reject. 

Article  7.  This  Constitution  may  be  amended  at  any 
annual  meeting  of  the  Grand  Council,  by  unanimous  con- 
sent of  all  the  members  present ;  but,  if  objection  be  made, 
the  proposed  amendment  shall  lie  over  until  the  next  annual 
session,  when  it  may  be  adopted  by  a  vote  of  two-thirds 
of  the  members  then  present. 

The  convention  then  proceeded  to  the  election  of  the 
officers  for  the  ensuing  year,  and  the  following  were  duly 
elected : 

M.  E.  L.  E.  Barber,  Grand  President. 

M.  E.  C.  W.  Millerd,  Grand  Vice  President. 

M.  R.  Peyton  R.  Smith,  Grand  Chaplain. 

E.  M.  L.  Bell,  Grand  Recorder. 

E.  W.  K.  Dobbins,  Grand  Treasurer. 

E.  E.  H.  English,  Grand  Master  of  Ceremonies. 

E.  J.  W.  Jordan,  Grand  Conductor. 


HIGH  PBIESTHOOD  IN  ARKANSAS 


207 


E.  W.  D.  Neely,  Grand  Herald. 

E.  W.  S.  Whaley,  Grand  Steward. 

The  officers  took  their  stations  as  such,  and  the  Grand 
Council  of  the  Order  of  High  Priesthood  for  the  State  of 
Arkansas  was  proclaimed  as  having  been  duly  organized. 

All  of  those  Companions  have  departed  this  life.  The 
last  to  cross  over  was  W.  K.  Dobbins,  who  died  June  24, 
1904,  in  the  eighty-third  year  of  his  age. 

Companion  C.  H.  Stone,  of  Camden,  was  anointed  in 
the  Grand  Council  of  November  20,  1870,  and  is  the  oldest 
living  member  of  the  Order  in  this  State. 

George  Thornburgh,  the  present  Grand  President,  was 
anointed  January  5,  1873,  and  is  the  second  oldest  living 
member. 

L.  E.  Barber  served  as  Grand  President  until  his  death 
in  1886,  when  Companion  Sam  W.  Williams  was  elected 
President. 

Companion  Fay  Hempstead,  the  present  Grand  Re- 
corder, and  Companion  T.  M.  Horsfall,  Grand  Steward, 
were  anointed  in  the  Grand  Council  November  25,  1887. 
Companion  Horsfall  was  elected  Grand  Steward  November 
18,  1892. 

Companion  F.  E.  Taylor,  the  present  Grand  Chaplain, 
was  anointed  in  the  Grand  Council  November  22,  1895. 

By  reason  of  the  death  of  Companion  Sam  W.  Wil- 
liams, Companion  George  A.  Dannelly  was  elected  Presi- 
dent at  the  Grand  Council  November  22,  1900,  and  George 
Thornburgh  was  elected  Grand  Vice  President.  At  this 
session,  Fay  Hempstead  was  elected  Grand  Recorder,  which 
position  he  still  holds.  Companion  W.  I.  Whitwell,  the 
present  Grand  Guard,  was  anointed  at  this  session. 

Companion  J.  R.  Donnell,  the  present  Grand  Master 
of  Ceremonies,  was  anointed  about  this  time,  but  there  is  no 
record  of  the  fact.  The  minutes  of  some  of  the  sessions 
about  that  time  did  not  give  the  names  of  those  anointed. 


208 


FBEEMASONBY— WHEN,  WHERE,  HOW? 


Companion  F.  E.  Taylor  was  elected  Grand  Chaplain 
in  1896,  and  served  one  year.  In  1902  he  was  again  elected, 
and  has  served  regularly  ever  since. 

N.  P.  Richmond  was  at  the  session  of  1902  elected 
Grand  Herald,  which  position  he  has  held  ever  since.  He 
was  anointed  in  another  jurisdiction. 

A  very  important  special  convocation  of  the  Order  was 
held  October  8,  1903.  The  General  Grand  Chapter,  Royal 
Arch  Masons  of  the  United  States,  was  in  session  at  Little 
Rock  at  that  time,  and  there  were  many  members  of  the 
Order  of  High  Priesthood  in  attendance  from  other  States. 

The  Blue  Lodge  Hall  in  the  Masonic  Temple  was  en- 
tirely filled,  as  was  also  the  gallery.  The  Grand  Council 
was  opened  in  due  form,  with  officers  present,  as  follows: 
George  Thornburgh,  as  Grand  President;  T.  H.  Jones,  as 
Grand  Vice  President;  F.  E.  Taylor,  Grand  Chaplain; 
Charles  Kantorowicz,  Grand  Treasurer;  Pay  Hempstead. 
Grand  Recorder;  S.  D.  Dodge,  Grand  Master  of  Cere- 
monies; J.  R.  Donnell,  Grand  Conductor;  N.  P.  Rich- 
mond, Grand  Herald;  T.  M.  Horsfall,  Grand  Steward; 
G.  J.  Klock,  Grand  Guard. 

The  Order  was  conferred  upon  Past  and  Present  High 
Priests  of  Chapters  in  Arkansas,  as  follows :  W.  T.  Nisbet, 
M.  E.  Akin,  S.  Bacharach,  William  T.  Hammock,  Z.  N. 
Short,  N.  C.  McCrary,  A.  I.  Roland,  S.  L.  Joseph,  and  B.  H. 
Crowley;  and  the  following  Companions,  Past  or  Present 
High  Priests  of  other  jurisdictions,  who  were  permitted  to 
join  the  class  by  consent  of  proper  officers  of  the  Order  in 
their  respective  jurisdictions,  to  wit:  Frank  B.  Wilson, 
of  Hope  Chapter  No.  6,  Bristol,  R.  I.;  James  G.  Knight, 
of  Wagner  Chapter  No.  22,  Indian  Territory;  William  E. 
Schwahn,  of  Eau  Claire  Chapter  No.  36,  Eau  Claire,  Wis. ; 
A.  B.  Andrews,  Jr.,  of  Raleigh  Chapter  No.  10,  Raleigh, 
N.  C. 

The  visiting  Companions  were  greatly  interested  and 
very  much  pleased  with  the  way  the  work  is  done  in 
Arkansas. 


HIGH  PKIESTHOOD  IN  ARKANSAS 


209 


Recorder  Hempstead  delighted  the  visitors  with  an 
exhibition  of  magnificent  specimjens  of  Arkansas  fruits, 
displayed  in  the  Commandery  Hall.  A  sample  was  served 
to  each  guest. 

At  the  regular  session  of  the  Grand  Council,  Novem- 
ber 18,  1903,  A.  A.  Rice,  the  present  Grand  Vice  President, 
was  anointed. 

At  the  Council,  November  23,  1905,  George  Thorn- 
burgh  was  elected  Grand  President,  which  position  he  con- 
tinues to  hold.  Companion  Dannelly  was  relieved  on  ac- 
count of  declining  health.  At  this  session  the  ceremony 
of  presenting  a  Bible  to  each  candidate  was  inaugurated, 
on  motion  of  Companion  Fay  Hempstead. 

The  present  officers  of  the  Grand  Council  are :  George 
Thornburgh,  Grand  President;  A.  A.  Rice,  Grand  Vice 
President;  F.  E.  Taylor,  Grand  Chaplain;  M.  E.  Akin, 
Grand  Treasurer;  Fay  Hempstead,  Grand  Recorder;  Mark 
P.  Olney,  Grand  Conductor;  J.  R.  Donnell,  Grand  Master 
of  Ceremonies;  N.  P.  Richmond,  Grand  Herald;  T.  M. 
Horsfall,  Grand  Steward;  W.  I.  Whitwell,  Grand  Guard. 


CRYPTIC  MASONRY  IN  ARKANSAS. 

This  branch  of  the  Order  was  introduced  into  the 
State,  April  25,  1853,  by  a  dispensation  issued  by  Albert 
Pike,  Deputy  Inspector  General  Supreme  Council  South- 
ern Jurisdiction  Scottish  Rite,  to  R.  L.  Dodge,  Luther 
Chase,  and  W.  H.  Sutton,  Little  Rock,  Ark.,  the  name  of 
Council  being  designated  as  Occidental.  On  the  22d  day 
of  May,  1853,  a  charter  was  granted  by  the  Supreme  Coun- 
cil Thirty-third  Degree,  Charleston,  S.  C.  The  charter 
says  it  is  "Occidental  Council  No.  1  on  the  roll  of  the 
Supreme  Council." 

The  next  Councils  organized  were  Adoniram  No.  2, 
Camden ;  Cephas  No.  3,  Monticello ;  Friendship  No.  4,  Sem- 
inary; and  Osiris  No.  5,  Fort  Smith. 

On  the  6th  of  November,  1860,  a  convention  was  called 
to  form  a  Grand  Council  for  the  State,  at  which  the  fol- 
lowing proceedings  were  had: 

uAt  a  convention  of  Royal  and  Select  Masters,  con- 
vened at  the  Masonic  Hall,  Little  Rock,  on  the  6th  day 
of  November,  A.  D.  1860,  A.  Dep.  2860,  on  invitation  of 
the  Supreme  Council  of  the  Thirty-third  Degree  for  the 
Southern  Jurisdiction  of  the  United  States,  for  the  purpose 
of  forming  a  Grand  Council  of  Royal  and  Select  Masters: 

"Illustrious  Albert  Pike,  Thirty-third,  M.  P.  Sover- 
eign Grand  Commander,  was  chosen  President,  and  Com- 
panion R.  M.  Johnson,  Secretary. 

i 1  Present,  the  following  officers  and  members  of  Coun- 
cils: 

"  Occidental  Council  No.  1,  Little  Rock,  Luke  E.  Bar- 
ber, Thrice  Illustrious  Master;  R.  L.  Dodge,  Illustrious 
Deputy  Master ;  Thomas  Parsell,  Principal  Conductor  of  the 
Work,  and  W.  H.  Sutton,  Henry  H.  Hays,  J.  B.  Groves, 
members. 

"Adoniram  Council  No.  2,  Camden,  Edmund  H.  Whit- 
field, Thrice  Illustrious  Master. 


CRYPTIC  MASONRY  IN  ARKANSAS 


211 


"Friendship  Council  No.  4,  Seminary,  Samuel  H. 
Bayless,  Thrice  Illustrious  Master.  < 

"Osiris  Council  No.  5,  Fort  Smith,  R.  M.  Johnson, 
Representative. 

"The  convention  resolved  itself  into  a  committee  of 
the  whole,  and  proceeded  to  form  a  constitution  for  the 
Most  Puissant  Grand  Council  of  Royal  and  Select  Masters 
of  Arkansas." 

The  convention  then  proceeded  to  elect  officers,  which 
resulted  in  the  choice  of  Companion  L.  E.  Barber,  Grand 
Master;  Companion  E.  H.  Whitfield,  Deputy  Grand  Mas- 
ter; Companion  S.  H.  Bayless,  Grand  Illustrious  Master; 
Companion  W.  H.  Sutton,  Grand  Principal  Conductor  of 
the  Work;  Companion  R.  L.  Dodge,  Grand  Treasurer; 
Companion  E.  H.  English,  Grand  Recorder. 

The  convention,  after  installing  the  officers,  adjourned 
its  labors  the  same  day. 

The  first  meeting  of  the  Grand  Council  Royal  and  Se- 
lect Masters,  after  the  close  of  the  Civil  War,  was  held 
November  3,  1866.  The  only  regular  Grand  Officers  pres- 
ent were  E.  H.  English,  Grand  Master,  and  R.  L.  Dodge, 
Grand  Treasurer.  Six  Councils  were  represented.  Pro 
tern,  officers  were  appointed  as  follows:  William  H.  Sut- 
ton, Deputy  Grand  Master;  John  R.  Eakin,  Grand  Illus- 
trious Master;  E.  N.  Hill,  Grand  Principal  Conductor  of 
the  Work;  W.  D.  Blocher,  Grand  Recorder;  Will  Hicks, 
Grand  Captain  of  the  Guard,  and  James  Tunnah,  Grand 
Sentinel. 

Charters  were  granted  to  new  Councils,  as  follows: 
Searcy  No.  12,  with  Will  Hicks  as  Thrice  Illustrious  Mas- 
ter; Batesville  No.  23,  with  G.  A.  Dannelly,  Thrice  Illus- 
trious Master,  and  English  No.  14,  with  M.  L.  Bell,  Thrice 
Illustrious  Master. 

It  seems  that  Companion  Albert  Pike  had  visited 
Mackey,  the  eminent  Masonic  authority,  to  procure  the 
correct  Council  Work,  as  it  was  resolved,  "That  the  work 
and  lectures,  as  given  by  Companion  Albert  G.  Mackey  to 


212  FBEEMASONRY— WHEN,  WHERE,  HOW? 


Companion  Albert  Pike  and  illustrated  in  Occidental  Coun- 
cil, be  adopted  as  the  work  of  this  Grand  Council.' 9 

The  returns  of  Councils  showed  that  Woodlawn  No. 
4,  located  at  Woodlawn,  Ouachita  County,  was  the  largest 
in  the  State,  having  110  members.  Occidental,  Little  Rock, 
was  next  in  size,  with  75  mem'bers.  Occidental  at  present 
has  only  a  few  more  than  Woodlawn  had  at  that  time. 
There  was  also  a  very  flourishing  Royal  Arch  Chapter  at 
Woodlawn.  It  must  have  been  a  very  prosperous  commu- 
nity. 

The  Councils  alive  at  that  time  were  Occidental  No.  1, 
Little  Rock ;  Adoniram  No.  2,  Camden ;  Cephas  No.  3,  Mon- 
ticello;  Friendship  No.  4,  at  Woodlawn;  Osiris  No.  5,  at 
Fort  Smith ;  Falcon  No.  7,  Falcon,  Columbia  County ;  Pike 
No.  8,  Magnolia;  Lamartine  No.  9,  Lamartine,  Columbia 
County;  St.  John's  No.  10,  Arkadelphia;  Berlin  No.  11, 
Berlin,  Ashley  County;  Searcy  No.  12,  Searcy^  Batesville 
No.  13,  Batesville ;  and  English  No.  14,  Pine  Bluff. 

Of  the  thirteen  Councils  then  in  existence,  only  four 
are  now  living,  to  wit:  Occidental,  Osiris,  Pike,  and 
English. 

The  Grand  Council  of  1867  granted  charters  to  Austin 
Council  No.  15,  Austin;  Prairie  Council  No.  16,  Des  Arc, 
and  Lee  Council  No.  17,  El  Dorado. 

The  Grand  Council  of  1868  granted  a  charter  to 
Hiram  Council  No.  18,  at  Jacksonport  (this  Council  died 
and  another  Hiram  now  exists  at  Arkadelphia),  and  Blake- 
ney  Council  No.  19,  at  Forrest  Home,  Monroe  County 
(dead). 

The  Grand  Council  of  1869  granted  charters  to  Ebe- 
nezer  Council  No.  20,  Ebenezer,  Hempstead  County  (dead) ; 
Dannelly  Council  No.  21,  at  Fayetteville,  and  Augusta 
Council  No.  22  (dead). 

At  the  session  of  1870,  the  degrees  were  conferred  in 
the  Grand  Council  upon  John  J.  Sumpter,  A.  Whittington, 
and  William  Sumpter  of  Hot  Springs.  John  J.  Sumpter 
afterward  became  Grand  Master  of  the  Grand  Lodge. 


CRYPTIC  MASONRY  IN  ARKANSAS 


213 


The  Grand  Council  of  1870  granted  a  charter  for  Hot 
Springs  Council  No.  23. 

The  Grand  Council  of  1872  granted  charters  for  For- 
rest City  Council  No.  24  (dead),  and  Marianna  Council 
No.  25. 

The  Grand  Council  of  1873  conferred  the  degrees 
upon  George  Thornburgh  of  Powhatan,  Samuel  Davidson 
of  Evening  Shade,  and  Thomas  Orr  of  Bright  Star.  This 
Grand  Council  granted  a  charter  to  Brilliant  Star  Council 
No.  26,  at  Dardanelle  (dead). 

A  convention  was  held  October  11,  1873,  at  which  a 
new  constitution  was  adopted  for  the  Grand  Council. 
L.  E.  Barber  was  President,  and  John  J.  Sumpter,  Secre- 
tary, of  the  convention. 

At  the  Grand  Council  of  1876,  M.  M.  McGuire,  Grand 
Master,  in  his  address  declared  the  condition  of  Cryptic 
Masonry  in  Arkansas  as  gloomy.    He  said : 

"Cryptic  Masonry  in  our  State  is  in  a  crippled  and 
languishing  condition ;  many  of  the  Councils  failed  to  make 
returns  or  to  be  represented;  the  treasury  of  the  Grand 
Council  is  empty  and  the  Grand  Eecorder  without  means  to 
pay  for  printing  our  Proceedings." 

He  reported  that  another  effort  was  being  made  to  have 
the  Grand  Encampment  Knights  Templar  make  the  Coun- 
cil degrees  a  prerequisite  to  the  Templar  degrees,  and  he 
hoped  that  it  might  succeed,  "as  it  is  evident  that  something 
must  be  done  to  awaken  interest  and  give  life  to  our  sub- 
lime but  much  neglected  branch  of  the  York  Rite  of  Free- 
masonry. The  Royal  and  Select  degrees  are  certainly  nec- 
essary to  the  completion  of  the  Capitular  degrees,  and  they 
are  considered  essential  to  qualify  the  applicant  for  the 
Order  of  Knighthood. ' 9  The  Grand  Encampment  Knights 
Templar  did  not  take  the  desired  action. 

At  the  Grand  Council  of  1877,  a  communication  was 
received  from  the  Grand  Council  of  Mississippi,  proposing 
to  abolish  Councils  and  Grand  Councils,  and  confer  the 
Council  degrees  in  Royal  Arch  Chapters,  and  to  do  the 


214  FREEMASONRY— WHEN,  WHERE,  HOW? 


work  of  the  Grand  Council  in  the  Grand  Chapter,  and  ask- 
ing our  Grand  Council  to  join  them  in  such  a  movement. 
The  Council  Masons  in  Arkansas  were  ready  for  most  any 
sort  of  a  change,  as  apparently  nothing  could  worse  the  con- 
dition of  Cryptic  Masonry  in  the  State. 

Osiris  Council  at  Fort  Smith  adopted  a  resolution  in 
which  they  said: 

' 'Experience  has  clearly  shown  the  impracticability 
of  making  the  Cryptic  degrees  a  separate  organization. 
Osiris  Council,  after  ten  years'  earnest  effort,  has  been 
barely  able  to  maintain  its  organization.  Therefore,  it  is 
the  sense  of  this  Council  that  the  best  interests  of  Capitular 
and  Cryptic  Masonry  would  be  subserved  by  merging  the 
Royal  and  Select  Master  degrees  into  the  Chapter.  If  this 
cannot  be  done,  then  this  Council  recommends  that  the 
Grand  Council  dissolve  its  organization. " 

The  Grand  Chapter  had  already  passed  a  resolution 
asking  the  General  Grand  Chapter  for  permission  to  assume 
jurisdiction  of  the  Council  degrees,  and  a  committee  was 
appointed,  composed  of  E.  H.  English,  M.  M.  McGuire,  and 
R.  L.  Dodge,  to  represent  the  Grand  Council  in  formulating 
a  plan  for  attaching  the  Council  degrees  to  Chapters,  and 
for  transacting  the  business  of  the  Grand  Council  in  the 
Grand  Chapter. 

A  like  committee,  composed  of  R.  W.  Johnson,  John  R. 
Eakin,  and  L.  E.  Barber,  was  appointed  by  the  Grand  Chap- 
ter, and  at  the  session  of  1878  the  joint  committee  presented 
a  plan. 

The  plan  proposed,  and  which  was  adopted,  was — 
First.  That  any  Chapter  of  Royal  Arch  Masons  in  the 
State  may  open  a  Council  of  Royal  and  Select  Masters  and 
the  degrees  be  conferred  therein,  subsequent  to  the  degrees 
of  Royal  Arch,  the  officers  of  the  Chapter  corresponding  in 
rank  to  those  of  the  Council. 

Second.  All  the  Royal  Arch  Masons,  members  of  the 
Chapter  at  the  date  of  the  transfer,  and  all  Royal  Arch 
Masons  subsequently  exalted  in  the  Chapter,  may  receive 


CRYPTIC  MASONRY  IN  ARKANSAS 


215 


the  degrees  in  the  Council  appended  thereto,  without  fur- 
ther ballot. 

Third.  Royal  Arch  Masons  affiliating  shall  receive  the 
degrees  without  further  ballot. 

Fourth.  All  Council  Masons  in  good  standing  may  sit 
in  a  Council  appended  to  the  Chapter,  whether  members  of 
that  Chapter  or  not. 

Fifth.  Where  there  are  not  enough  Council  Masons 
to  convene  a  Council,  in  order  to  confer  Council  degrees, 
the  degrees  may  be  communicated  on  a  sufficient  number  of 
Royal  Arch  Masons,  members  of  the  Chapters,  to  open  a 
Council. 

Sixth.    The  regular  Council  Ritual  shall  be  used. 
Seventh.    Four  dollars  shall  be  the  fee  for  the  Coun- 
cil degrees. 

Other  provisions  were  that  no  dues  should  be  charged 
for  membership  in  the  appended  Council;  when  a  Com- 
panion affiliated  with  the  Chapter,  if  a  Royal  and  Select 
Master,  he  was  affiliated  with  the  appended  Council.  This 
action  of  the  Grand  Chapter  and  the  Grand  Council  wiped 
out  of  existence  every  Council  in  the  State,  and  the  Grand 
Council  as  well.  And,  strange  to  say,  the  plan  was  adopted 
in  both  Grand  Chapter  and  Grand  Council  by  unanimous 
vote.  All  Council  work  was  done  in  the  Chapter.  Labor 
would  be  dispensed  with  in  the  Royal  Arch  degrees  and 
opened  in  the  Council  degrees,  then  closed  in  the  Council 
degrees  and  resumed  in  the  Royal  Arch.  In  the  Grand 
Chapter,  that  body  was  called  to  refreshment  and  a  Grand 
Council  of  Royal  and  Select  Masters  appendant  was  opened, 
and  the  officers  of  the  Grand  Chapter  took  the  stations  in 
Grand  Council.  When  the  Council  work  was  finished,  the 
Grand  Council  was  closed  and  labor  was  resumed  in  the 
Grand  Chapter.    This  condition  existed  until  1881. 

In  his  address  to  the  Grand  Chapter  of  1881,  George 
Thornburgh,  Grand  High  Priest,  reported  that  the  General 
Grand  Council  had  declared  that  those  made  in  Councils 
appended  to  Chapters,  as  it  was  being  done  in  Arkansas, 


216  FREEMASONRY— WHEN,  WHERE,  HOW? 


were  not  regular,  and  as  serious  trouble  might  arise  by  rea- 
son of  such  action,  he  said : 

"  While  we  think  our  plan  the  best,  yet  we  should  be 
willing  to  calmly  and  fraternally  consider  the  matter,  and 
if  we  find  ourselves  considerably  in  the  minority,  may  it 
not  be  best  to  submit  to  the  will  of  a  majority,  where  it  is 
only  a  question  of  expediency  and  not  of  principle.  If  we 
return  to  the  Council  organization,  our  work  will  be  re- 
ceived by  both  systems,  but  the  Royal  and  Select  Masters  we 
make  in  appended  Councils  may  be  denied  recognition  by  a 
majority  of  Councils  in  this  country.  I  know  it  will  be 
next  to  impossible  to  sustain,  with  any  show  of  life,  sepa- 
rate Councils  and  a  separate  Grand  Council  in  this  State, 
but  I  think  we  had  better  plod  along  at  ever  so  poor  a  gait 
than  to  do  work  that  will  be  called  spurious  by  a  respect- 
able part  of  the  Craft/ ' 

Jurisdiction  over  the  Council  degrees  was  returned  by 
that  Grand  Chapter  to  the  Councils  and  to  the  Grand  Coun- 
cil and  the  same  was  accepted  by  the  Council  Masons  pres- 
ent, and  on  November  19,  1881,  the  Grand  Council  of  Royal 
and  Select  Masters  of  Arkansas  was  reorganized,  after  hav- 
ing been  dissolved  since  the  11th  day  of  January,  1879. 

J.  P.  McCown,  the  Grand  Master  of  the  Grand  Council, 
having  died,  Sam  W.  Williams,  Deputy  Grand  Master, 
called  the  Grand  Council  to  order.  The  following  Councils 
appeared  by  their  representatives :  Occidental  Council  No. 
1 ;  Adoniram  No.  2 ;  Cephas  No.  3 ;  Searcy  No.  11 ;  Hiram 
No.  18 ;  Blakeney  No.  19 ;  Hot  Springs  No.  23 ;  Marianna 
No.  25 ;  and  Springfield  No.  26,  together  with  the  following 
Past  Grand  Officers,  who  were  members  of  the  Grand  Coun- 
cil, to  wit:  L.  E.  Barber,  E.  H.  English,  G.  A.  Dannelly, 
Past  Grand  Masters;  R.  M.  Johnson  and  George  Thorn- 
burgh,  Past  Deputy  Grand  Masters,  and  J.  J.  Sumpter, 
Past  Grand  Principal  Conductor  of  the  Work. 

In  order  to  satisfy  the  demands  of  Councils  in  other 
jurisdictions  provisions  were  made  for  healing,  in  regular 
Councils  and  in  the  Grand  Council,  all  who  had  been  made 


CRYPTIC  MASONRY  IN  ARKANSAS 


217 


Council  Masons  in  Councils  appended  to  Chapters,  and  thus 
ended  a  remarkable  chapter  in  the  history  of  Cryptic  Ma- 
sonry in  Arkansas. 

We  were  not  alone  either,  as  Mississippi  preceded  and 
a  few  other  Grand  Councils  followed  us.  All  of  them,  I 
think,  have  returned  to  the  regular  Council  organizations. 

At  the  Grand  Council  of  1885,  the  Council  degrees 
were  conferred  upon  J.  S.  Westerfield  and  T.  M.  Horsfall, 
who  afterward  became  Grand  Masters  of  the  Grand  Council. 

In  the  Grand  Council  of  1886,,  the  degrees  were  con- 
ferred upon  John  C.  Bone,  who  afterward  became  Grand 
Master. 

At  the  session  of  1887,  the  Constitution  of  the  General 
Grand  Council  was  accepted  and  the  Grand  Council  of 
Arkansas  voted  to  become  a  part  of  the  General  Grand 
Council,  its  connection  to  date  from  November  25,  1886. 

The  Grand  Council  of  1887  also  adopted,  as  a  part  of 
its  work,  the  Super-Excellent  degree,  though  it  had  not  yet 
been  conferred  in  Arkansas.  At  this  session  the  office  of 
Grand  Illustrious  Master,  which  up  to  that  time  had  been 
the  third  office  in  the  Grand  Council,  was  abolished. 

The  Grand  Council  of  1889  voted  that  it  would  not 
thereafter  confer  the  degrees  except  upon  those  who  had 
been  elected  in  Councils.  Prior  to  that  time,  the  Grand 
Council  could  elect  candidates  the  same  as  any  Council. 
This  was  qualified  at  the  next  Grand  Council  by  authoriz- 
ing the  Grand  Council  to  elect  and  confer  the  degrees  upon 
any  who  live  in  a  county  where  there  is  no  Council. 

SUPER  -  EXCELLENT  DEGREE. 

At  the  session  of  the  Grand  Council  of  1890,  Compan- 
ion G.  L.  Kimball,  Past  Grand  Master,  having  received  the 
Super-Excellent  Master's  degree  at  the  General  Grand 
Council,  and  obtained  authority  to  communicate  it,  did,  on 
November  20,  1890,  communicate  the  degree  to  Fay  Hemp- 
stead, C.  N.  Rix,  George  Thornburgh,  D.  D.  Leach,  J.  H. 


218  FREEMASONRY— WHEN,  WHERE,  HOW? 


Kennerly,  John  W.  Edie,  T.  M.  Horsfall,  and  Ed  S.  Carl- 
Lee.  This  was  the  first  time  the  degree  was  ever  communi- 
cated in  this  State,  and  it  was  not  conferred  until  later. 

Up  to  1896,  only  the  first  five  officers  of  the  Grand 
Council  were  elected.  The  others  were  appointed  by  the 
Grand  Master.  At  that  session,  the  Grand  Council  voted 
that  thereafter  they  should  all  be  elected. 

The  Grand  Council  of  1909  resolved  to  pay  the  ex- 
penses of  one  delegate  to  the  General  Grand  Council,  the 
highest  officer  attending  it  to  have  the  preference. 

The  Semi-Centennial  of  the  Grand  Council  was  cele- 
brated November,  1910.  A  medal  was  prepared  to  com- 
memorate the  occasion. 


GRAND  COUNCIL  OFFICERS. 


GRAND   MASTERS   OF   THE   GRAND  COUNCIL. 


1860   ,  L.  E.  Barber* 

1865-66  E.  H.  English* 

1867-68  Harris  Flanagin* 

1869   E.  H.  Whitfield* 

1870   G.   A.  Dannelly* 

1871-72  P  E.  H.  English* 

1873   J.  A.  Stinson* 

1874   G.W.Laughinghou&e* 

1875   M.  M.  McGuire* 

1876   C.  W.  Millerd* 

1877-78  J.  P.  McCown* 

1881-82  S.  W.  Williams* 

1883   George  Thornburgh 

1884   J.  M.  Harkey* 

1885   L.  H.  Roots* 

1886-87  G.  L.  Kimball* 

1888   D.  D.  Leach 

1889-  90  Fay  Hempstead 

1890-  93  Charles  N.  Rix 

*Dead. 


1894   John  J.  Sumpter* 

1895   A.  B.  Grace 

1896   ,  R.  J.  Laughlin* 

1897   John  P.  Farrar* 

1898   Omar  J.  Short* 

1890-1900  T.  M.  Horsfall 

1901   J.  R.  Donnell 

1902   G.  J.  Klock* 

1903   r  S.  D.  Dodge* 

1904   G.  W.  Skidmore 

1905   Nick  Kizer 

1906   Peter  Brickey* 

1907   A.  F.  B.  Oden 

1908   C.   L.  Brown* 

1909  Durand  Whipple 

1910   John  C.  Bone 

1911   J.  S.  Westerfield 

1912   R.  L.  Moore 


GRAND  TREASURERS 

1860-66  R.  L.  Dodge* 

1867   Louis  George* 

1868   Fred  Kramer* 

1869-76  R.  L.  Dodge* 

*Dead. 


OF   THE   GRAND  COUNCIL. 

1877-89...,  George  H.  Meade* 

1890-96....,  Fred  Kramer* 

1897  to  present. ...John  Brodie 


GRAND  RECORDERS  OF  THE  GRAND  COUNCIL. 


1860   E.  H.  English* 

1865   T.  D.  Merrick* 

1866-68  W.  D.  Blocher* 

*Dead. 


1869-81  L.  E.  Barber* 

1882-98  J.  A.  Henry* 

1899  to  present...  Fay  Hempstead 


CEYPTIO  MASONBY  IN  ARKANSAS 


219 


PRESENT  OFFICERS  OF  THE  GRAND  COUNCIL. 


E.  A.  McCulloch  Grand  Master 

S.  A.  Pernot  Deputy  Grand  Master 

E.  H.   Ellsworth  Grand  Principal  Conductor  of  the  Work 

John  Brodie  Grand  Treasurer 

Fay  Hempstead  Grand  Recorder 

F.  E.   Taylor  Grand  Chaplain 

George  B.  Moore....  Grand  Captain  of  the  Guard 

E.  G.  Schoonover  Grand  Conductor  of  the  Council 

R.  B.  Gregg  Grand  Marshal 

D.  I  Mills  Grand  Steward 

W.  I.  Whitwell  Grand  Sentinel 

T.  M.  Horafall   Grand  Lecturer 


There  are  now  19  Councils  and  625  members  in  the 
state. 

♦   ♦  ♦ 

TEMPLAR  MASONRY  IN  ARKANSAS. 

Templar  Masonry  was  first  introduced  into  Arkansas 
in  organized  form  by  a  dispensation  to  Hugh  De  Payens 
Commandery,  dated  December  20,  1853,  issued  by  W.  B. 
Hubbard,  Grand  Master  Grand  Encampment  of  the  United 
States,  to  Sirs  Albert  Pike,  Percy  C.  Brockus,  John  McDan- 
iel,  H.  H.  Heath,  H.  F.  London,  B.  B.  French,  A.  W.  Webb, 
W.  S.  Brown,  John  W.  Sketo,  and  Samuel  Mitchell. 

Albert  Pike  was  made  Eminent  Commander;  A.  W. 
Webb,  Generalissimo,  and  J.  W.  Sketo,  Captain  General. 

A  charter  was  granted  to  the  Commandery  (Hugh  De 
Payens  No.  1)  in  October,  1856. 

The  next  Commandery  organized  was  Bertrand  Du 
Gueselin  No.  2  at  Camden;  date  of  dispensation,  April  13, 
1866 ;  date  of  charter,  September  18,  1868. 

The  next  to  enter  the  field  was  Jacques  DeMolay  No.  3 
at  Fort  Smith;  date  of  dispensation,  December  30,  1868; 
date  of  charter,  September  22,  1871. 

The  next  was  Baldwin  No.  4,  Fayetteville ;  date  of  dis- 
pensation, April  28,  1871;  date  of  charter,  September  22, 
1871. 

How  slowly  this  branch  of  Masonry  spread  may  be  in- 
ferred from  the  fact  that  ten  years  passed  after  Hugh  De 
Payens  ere  a  second  Commandery  was  organized.  Hugh 
De  Payens,  during  this  long  period,  exercised  jurisdiction 
over  the  entire  domain  of  the  State. 


220  FREEMASONRY— WHEN,  WHERE,  HOW? 


On  Saturday,  the  23d  day  of  March,  1872,  in  the  city 
of  Fort  Smith,  the  following  Commanderies  by  their  repre- 
sentatives, met  in  convention  for  the  purpose  of  organizing 
a  Grand  Commandery  of  Knights  Templar  and  appendant 
orders  of  the  State  of  Arkansas : 

Hugh  De  Payens  No.  1,  Sir  R.  L.  Dodge,  Eminent  Com- 
mander; Sir  S.  W.  Williams,  proxy  for  Generalissimo;  Sir 
R.  S.  Crampton,  proxy  for  Captain  General;  Sir  L.  E.  Bar- 
ber, Past  Eminent  Commander,  and  Sir  E.  E.  English,  Past 
Eminent  Commander,  representatives. 

Bertrand  Du  Gueselin  No.  2,  Sir  R.  E.  Salle,  proxy  for 
Eminent  Commander,  Generalissimo,  and  Captain  General. 

Jacques  DeMolay  No.  3,  Sir  Edward  J.  Brooks,  Emi- 
nent Commander;  Sir  R.  M.  Johnson,  Generalissimo;  Sir 
E.  R.  DuVal,  Captain  General. 

The  convention  was  called  to  order  by  Sir  S.  W.  Wil- 
liams and  on  motion,  Sir  L.  E.  Barber  was  elected  President, 
and  Sir  Edward  J.  Brooks,  Secretary.  A  constitution  was 
framed  and  the  convention  then  proceeded  to  the  election 
of  Grand  Officers,  resulting  as  follows: 

Sir  Luke  E.  Barber,  Little  Rock,  R.  E.  Grand  Com- 
mander. 

Sir  Edward  J.  Brooks,  Fort  Smith,  V.  E.  Deputy 
Grand  Commander. 

Sir  Raphael  M.  Johnson,  Fort  Smith,  E.  Generalissimo. 

Sir  Samuel  W.  Williams,  Little  Rock,  E.  Captain 
General. 

Sir  William  A.  Sample,  Fort  Smith,  E.  Prelate. 
Sir  Walter  0.  Lattimore,  Fayetteville,   E.  Senior 
Warden. 

Sir  Caleb  H.  Stone,  Camden,  E.  Junior  Warden. 
Sir  Roderick  L.  Dodge,  Little  Rock,  E.  Treasurer. 
Sir  J.  W.  Rison,  Little  Rock,  E.  Recorder. 
Sir  R.  S.  Crampton,  Spadra,  E.  Standard  Bearer. 
Sir  J.  C.  Looney,  Fayetteville,  E.  Sword  Bearer. 
Sir  Robert  E.  Salle,  Camden,  E.  Warder. 
Sir  James  Tunnah,  Little  Rock,  E.  Captain  of  the 
Guard. 


TEMPLAR  MASONRY  IN  ARKANSAS  221 


On  motion  the  convention  adjourned  until  Monday, 
March  25,  1872,  at  10 :00  o'clock  A.  m. 

Convention  called  to  order  at  10:00  o'clock  A.  m. 
Present  as  on  Saturday.  Installation  of  officers  then  took 
place,  Sir  E.  H.  English  officiating  as  installing  officer,  as 
proxy  of  the  M.  E.  Grand  Master  of  the  Grand  Encamp- 
ment of  the  United  States;  after  which  the  convention  ad- 
journed sine  die,  and  the  Grand  Commandery  of  Arkansas 
was  a  reality.  The  next  session  was  held  in  Little  Rock 
October,  1872. 

It  was  more  than  ten  years  after  the  organization  of 
the  Grand  Commandery  before  another  Commandery  was 
established  in  the  State.  Dispensations  for  new  Command- 
eries  were  issued  in  order,  as  follows : 

Hot  Springs  No.  5,  October  25,  1882. 

Couer  DeLeon  No.  6,  Texarkana,  March  14,  1883. 

Palestine  No.  7,  Russellville,  February  22,  1884  (char- 
ter surrendered  in  1906.  Restored  in  1910  and  the  Com- 
mandery moved  to  Dardanelle). 

Damascus  No.  9,  Pine  Bluff,  October  21,  1884. 

Cyrene  No.  9,  Eureka  Springs,  December  3,  1884. 

St.  Aldemar  No.  10,  Harrison,  December  9,  1887. 

Apollo  No.  11,  Forrest  City,  April  1,  1888  (moved  to 
Marianna  in  1898). 

Ivanhoe  No.  12,  Jonesboro,  May  14,  1889  (George 
Thornburgh  was  the  Eminent  Commander  of  Ivanhoe,  and 
on  account  of  his  removal  and  that  of  other  workers  from 
the  neighborhood  of  Jonesboro,  the  Commandery  surren- 
dered its  charter  in  1898.  In  1903  another  Ivanhoe  was 
organized). 

St.  Elmo  No.  13,  Batesville,  February  10,  1890. 
Chandos  No.  14,  Brinkley,  May,  1902  (moved  to  Hel- 
ena in  1912). 

Siloam  No.  15,  Siloam  Springs,  December,  1902. 
Bethany  No.  16,  Bentonville,  — ,  1903. 
Malta  No.  17,  Mena,  April  20,  1903. 
Ivanhoe  No.  18,  Jonesboro,  April  22,  1903. 


222 


FREEMASONRY— WHEN,  WHERE,  HOW? 


Crusader  No.  19,  Stuttgart,  January  23,  1906. 
Olivet  No.  20,  Blytheville,  June  7,  1906. 
St.  John  No.  21,  Cotter,  May  22,  1907. 
Ascalon  No.  22,  Prescott,  May  18,  1910. 
Calvary  No.  23,  Mammoth  Spring,  December  28,  1910. 
In  1902,  the  charter  of  Bertrand  Du  Gueselin  Com- 
mandery No.  2,  Camden,  was  arrested. 

BLACK  PLUMES. 

In  1890  the  Grand  Commandery  voted  to  change  from 
white  to  black  plumes. 

KNIGHTS  OF  MALTA. 

The  Order  of  Knights  of  Malta  was  conferred  in  Ar- 
kansas first  in  Damascus  Commandery  at  Pine  Bluff,  De- 
cember 7,  1899,  by  Sir  J.  B.  Hingeley  of  Zion  Commandery, 
Minneapolis,  Minn. 

It  was  my  pleasure  to  be  present  on  that  occasion. 

SESSIONS  OMITTED. 

The  Grand  Commandery  failed  to  meet  in  1873,  1874, 
and  1882. 

GRAND  COMMANDERY  OFFICERS 

GRAND  COMMANDERS  OF  THE  GRAND  COMMANDERY  OF 
ARKANSAS. 

1872   Luke  E.  Barber*       1895   ,  George  P.  Taylor* 

1875   E.  R.  Duval*  1896   George  Thornburgh 

1876-77  E.  H.  English*  1897   George  G.  Latta* 

1878   J.  H.  Van  Hoose*     1898   Jesse  M.  Dill 

1879  R.  E.  Salle*  1899   David  I.  Mills 

1880   R.  M.  Johnson*        1900   Robert    M.  Smith* 

1881   A.  J.  Thompson*       1901   E.  A.  McCulloch 

1883   v  W.  H.  H.  Clayton      1902   Frank  Hill 

1884   Alfred  A.  Tufts*        1903   G.  J.  Klock* 

1885   B.  F.  Atkinson*       1904   Thomas  H.  Jones* 

1886   John  D.  Adams*       1905   S.   P.  Collings 

1887   P.  D.  McCulloch,  Sr.*  1906   Peter  Brickey* 

1888   George   L.   Kimball*  1907   R.  E.  Dougla3 

1889   Logan  H.  Roots*       1908   C.  C.  Goss 

1890   W.  K.  Ramsey*         1909   T.  H.  Jackson* 

1891   Charles  N.  Rix  1910   Mark  P.  Olney 

1892   C.   E.   Rosenbaum     1911   Joseph  H.  Watkins 

1893   S.  W.  Williams*        1912   Samuel  E.  Johnson* 

1894   W.  M.  Mellette  1913   John  A.  Plummer 

*Dead. 


TEMPLAR  MASONRY  IN  ARKANSAS  223 


GRAND   PRELATES   OF   THE   GRAND   COMMANDERY  OF 
ARKANSAS. 

1872  W.  A.  Sample*        1890-91  Thomas  Moore* 

1872   Thomas  R.  Welch*     1892-93  R.    S.  Deener 

1875   W.  A.  Sample*  1894   v  F.  E.  Taylor 

1876   G.  A.  Dannelly*         1895-97  Thomas  Moore* 

1877   J.  B.  Groves*  1898   J.  J.  Vaulx 

1878   G.  A.  Dannelly*        1899-1900  Thomas  Moore* 

1879   W.  A   Sample*  1901   J.  L.  Caldwell 

1880   C.  H.  Stone  1902-03  ,  O.  C.  Gray* 

1881   S.  W.  Williams*        1904   George  Thornburgh 

1883   f  Alonzo  Monk  1905   J.  F.  Todd* 

1884-85  1.  O.  Adams  1906-08  L.  T.  Gill 

1886   T.  C.  Tupper  1909   John  W.  Ellis 

1887   1.  O.  Adams  1910  J.  B.  Turrentine 

1888  W.  W.  Estabrook*     1911-14  M.    N.  Waldrip 

1889   1.  O.  Adams 

*Dead. 

GRAND  TREASURERS  OF  THE  GRAND  COMMANDERY  OF 
ARKANSAS. 

1872-76  R.  L.  Dodge*  1891-96  Frederick  Kramer* 

1877-90  George  H.  Meade*      1897  to  present....John  Brodie 

*Dead. 

GRAND  REOCRDERS  OF  THE  GRAND  COMMANDERY  OF 
ARKANSAS. 

1872-79  ,  John  W.  Rison*       1899  to  present. Fay  Hempstead 

1880-1898  ...James  A.  Henry* 

*Dead. 

PRESENT  OFFICERS  OF  THE  GRAND  COMMANDERY. 

J.  D.  Covey  Grand  Commander. 

J.  L.  W.  Grover  Deputy  Grand  Commander. 

R.  B.  Gregg  Generalissimo. 

John  H.  Fulson  Grand  Captain  General. 

John    Archer  Grand  Senior  Warden. 

J.  S.  Speed  Grand  Junior  Warden. 

Rev.  M.  N.  Waldrip  Grand  Prelate. 

John  Brodie  Grand  Treasurer. 

Fay  Hempstead  ,  Grand  Recorder. 

J.  H.  Clendenning  Grand  Standard  Bearer. 

C.  W.  Webb...  .  Grand  Sword  Bearer. 

E.  L.  Pierce  ,Grand  Warder. 

R.  T.  Hynson  ,  Grand  Captain  of  the  Guard. 

There  are  21  Commanderies  and  1,392  members  in  the 
state. 


SCOTTISH  RITE  MASONRY  IN  ARKANSAS. 

In  the  days  before  the  Civil  War  Scottish  Rite 
Masonry  in  Arkansas  flourished,  with  such  sterling  breth- 
ren as  Albert  Pike,  Elbert  H.  English,  Luke  E.  Barber, 
Gabriel  McCowan,  Albert  Cohen,  Frederick  Kramer,  J.  H. 
Van  Hoose,  C.  E.  Rosenbaum,  James  Austin  Henry,  and 
others,  who  helped  to  make  Masonic  history  in  Arkansas. 

After  the  Civil  War  several  attempts  were  made  to 
revive  the  bodies  of  the  Rite,  but  owing  to  two  fires 
which  destroyed  their  property  in  a  limited  period  of 
time,  the  brethren  became  discouraged  and  the  charters 
were  surrendered. 

Scottish  Rite  Masonry  remained  dormant  for  nearly 
twenty-five  years,  or  until  June,  1891,  when  James  Aus- 
tin Henry,  33°  Hon.,  and  at  the  time  Deputy  for  the 
Supreme  Council  in  this  State,  icommunicated  the  de- 
grees of  the  Rite  from  the  Fourth  to  the  Thirty-second, 
inclusive,  to  Russel  Richardson,  F.  J.  H.  Rickon,  Arthur 
L.  Smith,  and  Charles  E.  Rosenbaum. 

It  was  during  the  communication  of  these  degrees, 
in  which  Brother  Henry  was  assisted  by  Albert  Cohen, 
32°,  one  of  the  few  of  the  "Old  Guard"  then 
living,  that  discussions  arose  as  to  the  beauty  of  the  work, 
and  it  was  shown  that  General  Pike  had  repeatedly 
written  Brother  Henry,  lamenting  the  lack  of  the  Scottish 
Rite  in  Arkansas  and  fervently  urging  that  some  action 
be  taken  to  revive  the  dormant  bodies. 

These  discussions  resulted  in  a  determination  to  make 
the  attempt  to  revive  the  Rite  in  this  State.  On  September 
10,  1891,  the  reorganization  was  accomplished.  The  old 
charters  for  the  Lodge  of  Perfection,  Chapter  Rose  Croix, 
and  Council  Kadosh  were  revived  and  the  handful  of  faith- 
ful, determined  brethren  who  were  then  members  of  the 
Rite  proceeded  to  breathe  the  breath  of  life  into  that  which 
had  remained  dormant  so  many  years.  At  the  time  the 
charters  were  surrendered,  the  Consistory  here  was  a  Grand 


SCOTTISH  RITE  MASONRY  IN  ARKANSAS  225 


Consistory  and  Bodies  of  that  type  could  not  be  revived, 
so  it  was  necessary  to  get  a  new  charter  for  the  Consistory, 
but  it  bears  the  same  name  as  the  old  one,  "  Arkansas 
Consistory  No.  1."    It  was  constituted  January  10,  1893. 

At  the  time  the  Rite  was  revived,  besides  the  brethren 
previously  named,  there  were  Charles  N.  Rix,  S.  P.  Col- 
lings,  Edward  Hogaboom,  John  J.  Sumpter,  Charles  Dake, 
all  of  Hot  Springs ;  James  Chappie  and  George  Wehr  (who 
had  attained  the  Thirtieth  degree),  Sam  W.  Williams 
and  Leonard  T.  Gill  (who  was  a  member  of  the  Bodies  in 
Grand  Rapids,  Mich.),  and  a  few  others.  Among  the  first 
to  become  members  and  help  the  few  who  had  undertaken 
this  Herculean  task,  were  A.  M.  Heiseman,  L.  S.  Smothers, 
Edmund  Metcalf,  and  Ralph  Goodrich,  and  from  time  to 
time  were  added  those  who  have  since  helped  to  make  Scot- 
tish Rite  history  not  only  in  Arkansas  but  elsewhere  in  the 
Southern  Jurisdiction. 

The  meetings  were  held  in  the  Masonic  Temple,  Fifth 
and  Main  Streets,  Little  Rock,  until  1896,  when  the 
bodies  purchased  the  Jewish  synagogue  at  311  Center 
Street,  where  they  remained  until  their  in-creasing  number 
demanded  larger  quarters,  and  their  financial  prosperity 
permitted  the  building  of  a  new  Consistory. 

The  splendid  location  at  Eighth  and  Scott  Streets 
was  purchased  and  on  November  28,  1901,  the  corner-stone 
of  the  new  Albert  Pike  Consistory  was  laid  by  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  Arkansas,  Harry  H.  Myers,  Grand  Master,  pre- 
siding. The  building  was  completed  and  the  first  reunion 
held  in  it  October  21-23,  1902. 

This  beautiful  home  was  considered  large  enough  for 
many  years  to  come,  but  such  was  the  gain  in  membership 
that  in  a  few  years  it  was  found  necessary  to  plan  for  its 
enlargement.  The  building  was  remodeled,  enlarged  and 
readorned  until  it  was  practically  a  new  structure,  and 
the  first  reunion  in  the  present  splendid  Albert  Pike  Con- 
sistory was  held  April  21,  1913,  when  it  was  dedicated 
by  the  following  officers  of  the  Supreme  Council : 


226 


FREEMASONRY— WHEN,  WHERE,  HOW? 


James  D.  Richardson,  Grand  Commander;  Charles 
F.  Buck,  Acting  Lieutenant  Grand  Commander;  Charles 
E.  Rosenbaum,  Grand  Chancellor;  John  H.  Cowles,  Acting 
Grand  Prior;  with  Bishop  J.  R.  Winchester,  acting  as 
Grand  Primate. 

The  membership  in  the  Valley  of  Little  Rock  now  num- 
bers 1,400. 

Besides  Charles  E.  Rosenbaum,  33°,  Sovereign  Grand 
Inspector  General  in  Arkansas,  the  present  presiding  offi- 
cers of  the  several  bodies  are : 

Acacia  Lodge  of  Perfection,  M.  J.  Ringelhaupt,  33° 
Hon.,  Venerable  Master;  Excelsior  Chapter  Rose  Croix, 
Fred  W.  Kidd,  33°  Hon.,  Wise  Master;  Godfrey  De  St. 
Omer  Council  Knights  Kadosh,  John  Brodie,  33°  Hon., 
Preceptor;  Arkansas  Consistory,  F.  L.  French,  33°  Hon., 
Master  of  Kadosh. 

THE  CAMP  GUARD-A  HISTORICAL  SKETCH. 

By  Charles  E.  Rosenbaum,  33°. 

Here  and  there  throughout  the  Southern  Jurisdiction 
we  find  in  the  announcements  or  programs  of  reunion? 
among  other  brethren  who  participate  in  the  working  of 
the  Thirty-second  degree,  what  is  known  as  "The  Camp 
Guard, M  but  its  origin  and  its  growth  as  part  of  the  work 
is  perhaps  not  generally  understood. 

So  far  as  I  am  informed  this  feature  of  the  Thirty- 
second  degree  had  its  birth  in  Little  Rock,  and  was  created 
because  of  the  seeming  necessity  for  some  organized  effort 
to  better  the  rendition  of  the  ritualistic  work,  as  laid  down 
in  the  Ritual  for  this  degree  in  our  jurisdiction.  As  is 
well  known  by  all  who  are  familiar  with  our  Ritual  for 
this  degree,  no  provision  is  made  for  the  appearance  of  a 
Camp  Guard,  or  the  division  of  the  work  in  a  manner 
wherein  such  an  organization  or  a  number  of  brethren 
are  to  participate. 


SCOTTISH  EITE  MASOXBY  IX  ARKANSAS  227 


In,  my  early  efforts  to  intelligently  confer  the  Thirty- 
second  degree  I  found  what  seemed  an  almost  insur- 
mountable obstacle,  so  far  as  being  able  to  interest  the 
average  brother  receiving  the  degree,  or  the  average  brother 
assisting  in  conferring  the  same.  This  situation  was 
caused  by  the  manner  in  which  the  degree  was  laid  out 
in  the  Ritual,  assigning  the  whole  degree,  which  is  very 
long  and  in  parts  deep  in  its  lines  and  theme,  to  about  four 
officers  or  brethren  participating,  and  a  very  large  portion 
of  the  degree  was  assigned  to  two  of  these  officers. 

It  seemed  reasonable  to  me  that,  as  the  seeker  for  the 
additional  light  in  Masonry  advanced  from  degree  to  de- 
gree, he  would  naturally  look  for  and  expect  to  reach  the 
climax  in  the  Thirty-second  degree,  and,  if  he  did  not 
receive  it  in  a  manner  comprehended  by  'the  average 
solicitant,  he  would  be  disappointed  and  feel  that  either 
those  conferring  the  degree  were  lacking  in  ability  to 
properly  conceive  its  meaning,  or  that  the  degree  itself 
was  a  disappointment. 

It  was  with  this  thought  uppermost  in  my  mind  that 
I  undertook  the  laying  out  of  the  Thirty-second  degree 
on  lines  different  from  that  which  had  previously  been 
adopted,  and,  feeling  that  the  division  of  the  work  among 
a  number  of  brethren,  rather  than  to  confine  it  to  a  very 
few,  would  be  in  itself  a  move  in  the  right  direction,  the 
start  was  made  on  this  basis  for  a  foundation. 

In  dividing  the  work  of  the  description  of  the  Camp, 
it  seemed  best  to  use  a  number  of  brethren,  and,  so  far  as 
possible,  illustrate  the  Camp  by  actual  demonstration  in 
the  use  of  these  brethren,  and  in  that  way  began  the 
foundation  for  a  Camp  Guard,  in  the  Southern  Juris- 
diction. The  first  thought  following  the  laying  out  of 
the  degree  in  the  manner  indicated  was  the  proper  cos- 
tuming of  not  only  the  officers  but  the  Camp  Guard  as 
well,  because,  without  properly  robing  the  brethren  par- 
ticipating around  the  Camp,  it  would  not  be  possible  to 
put  that  vigor  or  life  into  the  rendition  of  the  degree  which 


228 


FREEMASONRY— WHEN,  WHERE,  HOW? 


it  needs  to  properly  interest  and  enthuse  not  only  the 
solicitant  but  the  officers  and  brethren  as  well. 

A  plan  of  dressing  or  robing  those  around  the  Camp 
in  keeping  with  the  various  degrees  represented  was 
thought  out,  but  soon  abandoned,  for  many  reasons  un- 
necessary to  mention  in  an  article  of  this  nature.  After 
considerable  thought  and  no  little  uncertainty  as  to  whether 
or  not  the  plan  I  had  matured  seemed  feasible,  I  finally 
decided  that  the  robing  of  the  Camp  Guard,  as  now  is 
quite  general  throughout  the  Southern  Jurisdiction,  of- 
fered the  best  solution  to  the  problem  present,  and,  with 
the  decision  once  made,  the  robes  were  designed  and  the 
degree  was  conferred  on  the  lines  laid  out,  and  later  revised 
and  embellished. 

As  to  the  degree  itself,  there  is,  of  course,  no  thought 
of  discussion  in  this  article,  and  ref erenee  to  it  is  only  made 
for  the  purpose  of  more  plainly  understanding  the  con- 
nection of  the  Camp  Guard  to  the  degree  and  the  reasons 
for  its  appearance  and  its  growth  when  once  created. 
Those  who  are  familiar  with  the  degree  will  readily  un- 
derstand what  it  meant  to  enlarge  on  the  number  neces- 
sary to  confer  it,  even  to  the  extent  of  this  Camp  Guard, 
which  with  us  originally  numbered  fourteen  brethren,  be- 
cause, to  get  the  necessary  effect  to  produce  the  result  so 
much  desired,  discipline  and  system  were  both  important. 

Without  some  systematic  manner  in  which  this  Camp 
Guard  should  make  its  appearance,  participate  in  the  work 
as  intended,  and  some  orderly  manner  in  which  it  should 
finally  depart,  there  would  be  worse  than  nothing  gained 
in  the  attempt  to  better  the  degree  by  the  use  of  these 
brethren. 

Thus  started  the  Camp  Guard  in  this  degree  and  in 
Arkansas  Consistory,  where  it  was  given  birth.  It  began 
under  conditions  which  at  first  were  rather  discouraging, 
because  of  the  limited  number  who  were  willing  to  labor 
zealously,  and  at  the  same  time  having  the  ability  to 
properly  carry  out  the  work.    Like  all  undertakings  worth 


SCOTTISH  EITE  MASONRY  IN  ARKANSAS  229 


while,  close  application,  hard  and  unceasing  labor,  coupled 
with  patience,  unquestioned  loyalty  and  devotion  on  the 
part  of  all  who  were  participants,  the  organization  of  a 
Camp  Guard  grew  from  an  almost  hopeless  task  to  a  bright 
and  glorious  reality. 

We  in  Arkansas  Consistory  date  our  real  progress  in 
the  advancement  of  our  Camp  Guard  to  the  time  when 
Brother  John  H.  Fraser,  33°,  Hon.,  became  a  member  of 
the  Consistory  and  agreed,  at  my  solicitation,  to  take  hold 
of  those  composing  the  Camp  Guard  and  build  it  up  until 
it  became  what  was  so  much  desired.  It  is  true  we  had 
been  using  the  Camp  Guard  with  more  or  less  success  for 
some  years  before  Brother  Fraser  took  hold  of  it,  but, 
from  the  time  of  his  assuming  charge,  it  began  to  develop 
into  something  of  an  organization  such  as  we  had  for  so 
long  labored. 

Today  the  Camp  Guard  of  Arkansas  Consistory,  as 
such,  stands,  we  think,  in  many  respects,  without  a  peer, 
because  we  do  not  know  another  organization  that  has  de- 
veloped as  this  one,  until  it  has  become  almost  national  in 
its  fame. 

Our  Camp  Guard  is  used  for  other  purposes  than 
merely  participating  in  the  Thirty-second  degree.  Because 
it  is  a  thoroughly  drilled  organization,  and  always  sub- 
ject to  call  for  any  duty,  its  members  are  used  as  a  Re- 
ception Committee  at  our  social  functions,  as  well  as  the 
more  sorrowful  duty  of  serving  as  Guard  of  Honor  arid 
Escort  in  the  funeral  services  of  our  departed  brethren. 

A  few  years  ago,  when  President  Roosevelt  visited 
Little  Rock,  there  seemed  no  place  in  the  city  adapted 
for  the  purpose  of  giving  the  President  a  luncheon  except 
the  Consistory,  so  it  was  decided  to  hold  this  particular 
function  there,  and  under  the  auspices  and  control  of  the 
Consistory.  The  Camp  Guard  of  the  Consistory  was 
pressed  into  service  as  ushers  and  as  guards  throughout  the 
building,  and  in  their  fatigue  uniforms  helped  to  make 
the  occasion  a  memorable  one. 


230 


FREEMASONRY— WHEN,  WHERE,  HOWf 


This  incident  is  only  mentioned  as  an  illustration  of 
the  varied  purposes  that  the  Camp  Guard  has  served. 

In  many  degrees  other  than  the  Thirty-second  we  at 
times  use  a  number  of  brethren  to  assist  in  the  work  as 
laid  down  in  the  Ritual,  or  to  enhance  the  beauty  and  im- 
pressiveness  of  the  degree,  and"  we  have  found  that  the 
discipline  and  training  given  the  Camp  Guard  has  served 
exceedingly  well,  in  that  it  has  furnished  a  well-drilled 
number  of  brethren  who  are  capable  at  almost  a  moment  's 
notice,  and,  with  little  or  no  preparation,  ready  to  assist 
in  an  intelligent  and  able  manner  to  an  extent  that  could 
hardly  otherwise  obtain. 

In  addition  to  the  regular  costumes  or  robes  used  in 
the  ritualistic  wrork  of  the  degree,  our  Camp  Guard  is 
provided  with  two  uniforms,  one  a  black  fatigue,  trimmed 
in  gold,  and  the  other,  a  recent  acquisition,  white,  trimmed 
with  violet  and  gold.  With  the  black  uniforms  are  pro- 
vided special  swords,  and  with  the  white  or  dress  uniform 
is  worn  a  specially  designed  saber,  artistic  and  beautiful 
in  its  conception  and  workmanship,  and  like  the  white  dress 
uniforms  themselves,  perhaps  the  only  creation  of  the 
kind  in  any  Consistory  in  the  world. 

The  Camp  Guard  of  Arkansas  Consistory  is,  in  a 
measure,  the  pride  of  the  Sovereign  Grand  Inspector  Gen- 
eral, and  at  times  the  organization  has  been  playfully 
referred  to  as  "Charlie's  Pets,"  and,  while  this  has  been 
in  the  nature  of  a  pleasantry,  yet  I  feel  no  little  pride  in 
the  loyalty  and  devotion  of  these  brethren  who  have  helped 
to  make  this  organization  what  it  is,  and  incidentally  have 
assisted  the  many  able  and  willing  brethren  wrho  compose 
our  working  force  to  build  up  and  maintain  the  high  stand- 
ard of  the  work  in  the  Scottish  Rite  Bodies  of  the  Valley 
of  Little  Rock. 


Charles  E.  Rosenbaum 


SCOTTISH  RITE  MASONRY  IN  ARKANSAS  231 


The  members  at  present  of  the  organization  are : 


John  H.  Fraser,  33°  Hon  Captain. 

John  L.  Deason,  33°  Hon  First  Lieutenant. 

W.  H.  Marshall,*  32°  Second  Lieutenant. 

Alfred  Leymer,  32°...,  First  Sergeant. 

James  H.  Harris,  32°  .-  Second  Sergeant. 

W.  A.  Treadway,  32°  Color  Sergeant. 

G.  H.  Ferrell,  32°  Color  Sergeant. 

F.  H.  Hemann,*  32°  ,  Quartermaster  Sergeant. 

R.  M.  Enders,*  32°  Secretary  and  Treasurer. 

R.   E.  Sims,  32°  Bugler. 


W.    C.   Adamson  32° 

M.    E.    Akin  ,  32° 

Noland    Blass  32° 

James   S.   Barkman*  32° 

John  H.  Belford  32° 

Gus  Bertner  32° 

John  B.  Bond,  Jr  32° 

W.  C.  Bond*  32° 

M.  A.   Bowers  .....32° 

W.  B.  Brooks  32° 

P.  W.  Crawford*  32° 

C.  A.  Cunningham*  ,  32° 

J.  S.  Davenport  32° 

James  L.  Dibrell  32° 

J.  J.  Fisher  32° 

Theodore  Freedman  32° 

Guy  Fulk  32° 

J.  M.  Haislip  32° 

M.  H.  Johnston  32° 

Alfred  Kahn  32° 

S.  L.  Kahn*  32° 


George  Krickerberg  32° 

D.  McDonald  32° 

James  Mehaffy  ,.—32° 

C.  C.  Newham  32° 

J.  G.  Lawrence  32° 

C.  W.  Lyman  ,  32° 

C   F.  O'Neal  32° 

John  E.  Parsons  32° 

E.  N.   Pettit  32° 

W.  J.  Potts  32° 

G.  S.  R.  Sharpe  ,  32° 

James  P'.  See  32° 

P.  R.  Sheppard  32° 

S.  S.  Stewart*  32° 

W.  E.  Strong  32° 

S.  C.  Scull  33°  Hon. 

C.  H.  Sumption  32° 

Theodore  C    Treadway  32° 

E.  F.  Valentine  32° 

George  G.  Worthen  32° 


Dr.  Frank  E.  Gibson,*  32°,  Honorary  member,  Washington,  D.  C. 
*Knight  Commander  of  the  Court  of  Honor. 


CHARLES  E.  ROSENBAUM. 

It  would  be  like  giving  the  play  of  Hamlet  and  leaving 
Hamlet  out,  to  recite  the  history  of  Scottish  Rite  Masonry 
in  Arkansas,  without  special  mention  of  Brother  Charles 
E.  Rosenbaum. 

Prom  the  day  that  he  received  the  Scottish  Rite  de- 
grees he  has  never  ceased  to  be  a  zealous  and  efficient  worker 
in  their  interest.  No  sacrifice  of  time  or  money  has  been 
too  great  for  him  to  make.  It  must  be  a  source  of  supreme 
gratification  on  his  part,  to  stand  upon  the  present  heights 
of  Scottish  Rite  prosperity  in  this  jurisdiction  and  look 
back  upon  the  difficult  road  it  had  to  travel. 


232  FREEMASONRY — WHEN,  WHERE,  HOW  I 


To  his  untiring  energy  and  to  his  taste  for  such 
things,  is  to  be  credited  the  splendid  stage  accessories  and 
the  rich  costumes  now  used,  not  only  in  the  Valley  of  Little 
Rock,  but  throughout  the  Southern  Jurisdiction.  He  has 
not  only  been  a  light  in  this  Valley,  but  a  leader  through- 
out the  Southern  Jurisdiction  in  perfecting  and  projecting 
the  beautiful  ceremonies  in  which  the  degrees  are  now 
conferred. 

His  labor  is  rewarded  not  only  by  the  love  of  his 
brethren  at  home,  but  by  being  honored  by  the  Supreme 
Council.  He  wras  coronated  a  Thirty-third  Inspector  Gen- 
eral, Hon.,  in  1896,  and  crowned  an  active  member  in 
1901.  He  now  occupies  the  fourth  place  in  that  august 
body,  that  of  "  Grand  Chancellor. ' ' 

Brother  Rosenbaum  was  made  a  Blue  Lodge  Mason  in 
Magnolia  Lodge,  a  Royal  Arch  Mason  in  Union  Chapter, 
and  a  Knight  Templar  in  Hugh  De  Payens  Commandery  in 
the  early  part  of  the  year  1886 ;  all  of  these  bodies  being 
located  in  Little  Rock.  He  served  his  Lodge  faithfully  as 
Master,  his  Commandery,  as  Commander,  and  the  Grand 
Commandery  as  Grand  Commander.  He  was  for  several 
years  Grand  Treasurer  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Arkansas, 
and  has  passed  through  the  stations  from  Grand  Junior 
Deacon  to  Deputy  Grand  Master,  and  at  the  coming  Grand 
Lodge  in  November  (1914)  he  will  beyond  doubt,  by  the 
ehoice  of  his  York  Rite  brethren,  be  elected  to  the  highest 
office  in  their  gift,  that  of  Grand  Master.  He  will  then  be, 
during  his  term  as  Grand  Master,  the  official  head  of  both 
Rites  in  Arkansas. 


THE  EASTERN  STAR  IN  ARKANSAS. 


The  first  Chapter  of  the  Order  of  the  Eastern  Star 
organized  in  Arkansas  was  Enola  No.  1,  Mount  Vernon, 
in  July,  1870. 

In  our  present  roll  of  Chapters,  Witeherville  Chapter 
is  down  as  No.  1.  This  should  not  be.  Witeherville  was 
not  organized  until  February,  1906,  and  chartered  in  No- 
vember, 1906.  In  the  meantime  Enola  Chapter  had  died, 
and  Witeherville  was  given  No.  1,  the  vacant  place  of  the 
first  Chapter  organized  in  the  State.  This  was  a  serious 
mistake,  as  it  will  indicate  by  its  number  that  it  is  the 
oldest  Chapter  in  the  State,  when  it  is  not  by  thirty-six 
years.  Furthermore,  it  now  occupies  the  place  of  honor 
ahead  of  one  hundred  and  seventy  Chapters,  which  were 
chartered  before  it  was. 

The  next  Chapters  organized  in  the  State  were  Martha 
No.  2;  Jacinto  No.  3;  Carlton  No.  4;  Searcy  No.  5,  and 
Massey  No.  6.  These  six  Chapters,  by  their  delegates,  as- 
sembled at  Searcy  October  2,  1876,  in  convention  called  by 
Brother  W.  B.  Massey,  and  organized  the  Grand  Chapter 
of  Arkansas.  It  is  a  matter  of  regret  that  all  of  these 
Chapters  are  now  dead.  There  is  a  Chapter  at  Searcy,  but 
it  was  instituted  in  1913.  The  first  Grand  Matron  was 
Mrs.  Kiddy  A.  Neal  and  the  first  Grand  Patron  was  J.  M. 
Mallett. 

The  next  regular  meeting  of  the  Grand  Chapter  was 
held  in  Searcy  November  8,  1876.  The  original  six  Chap- 
ters were  represented. 

At  the  next  meeting,  which  was  in  1877,  only  four 
Chapters  were  represented.  At  this  meeting  "a  scarf  of 
five  colors,  three  inches  wide,  with  a  rosette  on  the  shoul- 
der, one  on  the  breast,  and  one  at  the  crossing,  to  be  worn 
from  the  right  shoulder  to  the  left  side,"  was  adopted  as 
the  regalia  of  the  Order. 

At  the  meeting  of  1878,  only  four  Chapters  were  rep- 
resented. 


234 


FREEMASONRY— WHEN,  WHERE,  HOW? 


At  the  session  of  1879,  a  Grand  Orator  was  elected, 
whose  duty  is  was  to  deliver  an  address  at  the  installation 
of  the  Grand  Officers  each  year. 

At  the  session  of  1880,  allegiance  was  acknowledged  to 
the  General  Grand  Chapter.  There  were  then  seven  Chap- 
ters and  three  hundred  and  four  members  in  the  State. 

There  are  now  (1914)  252  Chapters  and  9,850  members 
in  Arkansas. 

A  SLIGHT  CORRECTION. 

The  Record  of  the  Grand  Chapter  of  1891  says : 
"The  Grand  Chapter  was  placed  in  charge  of  the 
Grand  Lecturer,  Susannah  Stegal.  Rev.  George  Thorn- 
burgh,  having  been  elected  to  receive  the  degrees,  was  in- 
troduced and  conducted  through  the  Labyrinth  of  the 
Star." 

I  never  was  a  minister,  yet  that  impression  prevails 
quite  extensively. 

INCORPORATION. 

At  the  session  of  the  Grand  Chapter  of  1904,  a  com- 
mittee composed  of  George  Thornburgh,  T.  J.  Shinn,  and 
E.  E.  Ammons  was  appointed  to  secure  passage  by  the 
legislature  of  a  bill  incorporating  the  Grand  Chapter.  The 
committee  prepared  the  bill,  which  was  introduced  into  the 
State  Senate  by  Brother  Senator  B.  E.  McPerrin.  It 
passed  both  houses  and  was  approved  by  the  Governor 
March  2,  1905. 

MASONIC  HOME. 

To  the  credit  of  the  Order  of  the  Eastern  Star,  it  may 
be  truthfully  said  that  the  first  money  contributed  for  the 
building  of  the  Masonic  Orphans'  Home  was  by  Esther 
Chapter  No.  217,  Little  Rock.  At  its  meeting  February  4, 
1904,  it  voted  to  raise  $100.00  toward  the  establishment  of 
the  Home.  A  social  and  literary  entertainment  was  held 
in  the  Grand  Lodge  room  at  which  $103.15  was  raised, 
$100.00  of  which  was  contributed  to  the  purpose  named. 


THE  EASTERN  STAR  IN  ARKANSAS 


235 


At  the  session  of  the  Grand  Chapter  of  1904,  Mrs. 
Ellis,  Grand  Matron,  called  attention  to  the  subject,  and 
recommended  that  some  action  be  taken  looking  to  the 
establishment  of  the  institution.  A  resolution  was  intro- 
duced favoring  the  speedy  erection  of  such  a  Home,  and  a 
committee  composed  of  George  Thornburgh,  J.  M.  Oathout, 
and  M.  P.  Olney,  was  appointed  to  convey  to  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  Masons  its  assurance  of  sympathy.  The  com- 
mittee addressed  to  the  Grand  Lodge  the  following  commu- 
nication : 

"The  Grand  Chapter  Order  of  the  Eastern  Star,  in 
session  assembled,  congratulates  the  Grand  Lodge  upon  its 
contemplated  action  relative  to  a  Masonic  and  Eastern 
Star  Home  in  Arkansas,  and  hereby  tenders  its  assistance, 
both  moral  and  financial,  to  bring  about  this  great  bless- 
ing to  the  Craft  throughout  the  State." 

The  Grand  Chapter  also  adopted  an  amendment  to  its 
constitution,  whereby  it  could  and  did  levy  an  extra  tax 
of  twenty-five  cents  per  capita,  for  the  building  of  a  Ma- 
sonic and  Eastern  Star  Home. 

These  proceedings  were  had  on  Monday,  prior  to  the 
meeting  of  the  Grand  Lodge  the  following  day  (1904). 

The  Grand  Chapter  anticipated  the  action  of  the 
Grand  Lodge  and  selected  Mrs.  Jennie  A.  Ellis,  Mrs.  Julia 
M.  Gill,  Mrs.  Ida  M.  Beloate,  John  M.  Oathout,  and  J.  A. 
Tatum  to  act  in  conjunction  with  the  Grand  Lodge  in  rais- 
ing the  funds  for  the  Home.  The  first  Trustees  chosen  as 
members  of  the  regular  Board  of  Trustees  of  the  Orphan- 
age were  Mrs.  Julia  M.  Gill  and  Mrs.  Alice  Brouse. 

For  further  history  of  the  Masonic  Home,  see  under 
"Grand  Lodge." 

In  1911,  the  constitution  was  amended  so  that  "The 
Grand  Chapter  by  vote,  may  order  a  regular  session  to  be 
held  at  Batesville,  in  connection  with  the  Orphans'  Home, 
at  such  time  of  the  year  as  the  Grand  Chapter  may  des- 
ignate. ' ' 


236  FREEMASONRY— WHEN,  WHERE,  HOW? 


POET  LAUREATE  OF  THE  ORDER  OF  THE 
EASTERN  STAR. 

At  the  session  of  1908,  the  Grand  Chapter  of  Arkansas 
elected  Mrs.  Josie  Frazee-Cappleman  Poet  Laureate  of  the 
Order  in  Arkansas. 

On  the  evening  of  February  4,  1909,  in  Esther  Chap- 
ter, Mrs.  Cappleman  was  crowned  Poet  Laureate.  The 
wreath  was  made  of  laurel,  which  Mrs.  Thornburgh  had 
gathered  in  the  Virginia  mountains. 

Of  the  many  excellent  poems,  of  which  Mrs.  Capple- 
man is  the  author,  perhaps  the  most  highly  esteemed 
Eastern  Star  poem  is  the  one  delivered  as  a  welcome  to 
the  Grand  Chapter  of  1906,  which  is  as  follows: 


GREETING  TO  THE  0.  E.  S. 

Here's  a  health  to  our  Grand  Chapter, 
With  its  members  sweet  and  dear ; 

Here 's  a  health  to  all  our  brothers, 
And  to  every  sister  here. 

Here's  a  smile  for  every  loved  one, 
And  a  handshake  for  the  past; 

Here's  a  tear  for  others  missing- 
Missing  always  to  the  last. 

Here's  a  health,  Grand  Worthy  Matron, 
From  the  " Stars"  of  Arkansas, 

Who  give  you  royal  greeting, 
While  your  wishes  shall  be  law. 

So,  again  we  meet  together, 

Our  Grand  Chapter,  loved  and  dear, 
Which  brings  some  bright-winged  blessing 

With  each  returning  year. 


THE  EASTERN  STAR  IN  ARKANSAS  237 


Here  are  Adahs — {Loyal  Daughters — 
With  their  spotless  Sword  and  Veil; 

Here  are  Ruths,  with  meager  gleanings, 
Fond  and  faithful  without  fail. 

Here  are  Esthers,  fair,  courageous, 
In  their  royal  robes  of  state; 

Here  are  Marthas,  true  and  trustful, 
And  Electas,  good  and  great. 

We  see  these  five  Star  sisters, 
Each  a  shining  symbol  true, 

Each  with  her  pledge  and  promise 
Of  something  good  to  do. 

Here  are  Matrons,  here  are  Patrons, 

And  all  the  rich  array, 
From  office,  past  and  present, 

To  glad  this  gala  day. 

Here  are  hearts  to  give  you  welcome ; 

Here  are  willing  hands  to  work ; 
Here  are  brothers  tried  and  sisters 

Who  will  no  duty  shirk. 

So  we  come,  beloved  Grand  Chapter, 

To  pay  to  you  once  more 
Our  tribute  of  affection, 

Of  which  we  have  a  store. 

In  love  we  meet  and  greet  you 

Dear  Star,  our  very  own, 
Where  Truth  and  Lovingkindness, 

And  trustful  Faith  are  shown. 


238 


FREEMASONRY— WHEN,  WHERE,  HOW? 


Where  link  by  link  is  lengthened, 

The  Golden  Chain  each  day; 
Where,  point  by  point  is  lighted 

Each  year  upon  our  way. 

Where  brothers  cherish  brother 

In  Love  and  Charity; 
Where  sisters  cherish  sister 

In  sweet  fraternity. 

Where  violets,  blue  and  fragrant, 

With  golden  jasmine  twine; 
Where  lilies,  ferns,  and  roses, 

All  lovingly  combine. 

Where  shines  each  point  in  splendor, 

The  brightest  ever  seen, 
And  all  united  in  crowning, 

Our  Star  Grand  Chapter  queen. 

MASONIC  COURTESY. 

On  the  introduction  of  the  Order  of  the  Eastern  Star 
into  Arkansas,  it  met  with  a  cold  reception.  Many  of  the 
older  Masons  were  disposed  to  be  unfriendly  to  it,  but  as 
the  years  went  on,  and  the  Order  showed  that  its  purpose 
was  not  to  usurp  any  of  the  prerogatives  of  Masonry,  but 
to  be,  as  the  wife  to  the  husband,  a  helpmeet,  the  Masons 
warmed  up  to  it,  and  as  early  as  1894  the  Grand  Lodge 
Toted  that  the  Board  of  Control  of  the  Masonic  Temple 
should  provide  rooms  for  the  meetings  of  the  Grand  Chap< 
ter,  if  practicable. 

Leading  Masons  throughout  the  State  became  members 
of  the  Eastern  Star,  and  there  grew  up  a  beautiful  har- 
mony, which  resulted  in  the  adoption  by  the  Grand  Lodge 
of  1904,  of  this  resolution,  introduced  by  Brother  John  M. 
Oathout,  Grand  Lecturer  of  the  Grand  Lodge: 


THE  EASTERN  STAR  IN  ARKANSAS 


239 


"Whereas,  The  Order  of  the  Eastern  Star  is  composed 
of  Master  Masons,  their  wives,  widows,  mothers,  sisters, 
and  daughters;  and, 

"Whereas,  Said  Order  is  engaged  in  works  of  charity 
and  benevolence  that  merit  our  highest  encouragement  and 
approbation;  therefore  be  it 

"Resolved,  That  we  commend  the  Order  of  the  East- 
ern Star  to  the  Masonic  Fraternity  of  this  Grand  Jurisdic- 
tion as  an  institution  worthy  of  their  regard,  and  as  such 
we  wish  them  abundant  prosperity  and  success/7 

Another  courtly  compliment  paid  the  Order  of  the 
Eastern  Star  was  when  the  Grand  Lodge  provided  for  two 
representatives  from  the  Grand  Chapter  on  the  Board  of 
Trustees  of  the  Masonic  Home. 

The  Grand  Chapter  has  for  many  years  met  in  the 
Masonic  Temple,  by  invitation  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  with- 
out charge.  The  last  meeting  of  the  Grand  Chapter  found 
itself  crowded  in  the  only  quarters  available  in  the  Masonic 
Temple.  At  the  close  of  the  Grand  Chapter,  the  Grand 
Matron  appointed  Mrs.  Gill,  Mrs.  Lee,  and  myself,  to  ascer- 
tain if  the  Scottish  Bite  Consistory  could  be  secured  for  the 
next  meeting.  After  conferences  with  Brother  Charles  E. 
Rosenbaum,  Sovereign  Inspector  General  in  Arkansas,  he 
wrote  this  very  fraternal  and  courteous  letter : 

1 6  March  31,  1914. 
"My  Dear  Brother  Thornburgh — Referring  again 
to  the  request  for  the  use  of  the  Consistory  building,  by 
the  Grand  Chapter  Eastern  Star,  I  have  consulted  other 
members  of  our  Board,  trying  to  find  a  way  to  accommo- 
date the  Grand  Chapter,  though  at  first  it  seemed  impos- 
sible. After  going  over  the  whole  subject,  we  can  accom- 
modate ourselves  to  the  situation.  I  therefore,  on  the  part 
of  our  Board  of  Trustees,  beg  to  tender  through  you  to  the 
Grand  Chapter  of  the  Eastern  Star,  the  use  of  Albert  Pike 
Consistory  for  the  annual  meeting  of  said  Grand  Chapter. 
I  also  beg  to  assure  you  and  the  Grand  Chapter  that  it  is 
a  pleasure  indeed  to  be  in  a  position  to  tender  the  Grand 


240 


FREEMASONRY— WHEN,  WHERE,  HOW? 


Chapter  this  courtesy,  and  trust  the  sessions  held  in  this 
beautiful  structure  may  be  fraught  with  results  both  pleas- 
urable and  profitable  to  the  Grand  Chapter  and  the  Order 
of  the  Eastern  Star  generally. 

"Fraternally  yours, 

"C.  E.  ROSENBAUM, 

"President  Board  of  Trustees.99 

It  has  become  a  settled  custom  for  the  Grand  Lodge 
to  invite  the  Grand  Chapter  Order  of  the  Eastern  Star  to 
be  present  when  the  Grand  Orator  delivers  his  address  and 
the  Grand  Matron  of  the  Eastern  Star  is  invited  to  the 
East  and  to  speak. 

Perhaps  in  no  other  jurisdiction  in  the  world  has  the 
Masonic  Fraternity  treated  the  Eastern  Star  with  so  great 
consideration,  and  it  cannot  be  possible  for  any  Order  to 
appreciate  this  courtesy  more  than  does  the  Eastern  Star 
in  Arkansas. 

GRAND  CHAPTER  OFFICERS. 

GRAND  MATRONS  AND  GRAND  PATRONS. 


Year  Grand  Matron  Grand  Patron 

1876  Mrs.  Kiddy  A.  Neal  J.    M.  Mallett* 

1877  Mrs.  Ann  E.  Beavers*  W.   K.  Dobbins* 

1878  Mrs.  Kiddy  A.  Neal  G.   A.  Dannelly* 

1879  Mrs.   Mary  C.  McCain  W.   B.  Massey* 

1880  Mrs.  Nannie  N.  Maddox  N.  J.  Chance 

1881  Miss  Lelia  B.  McBride  G.  A.  Dannelly* 

1882  Miss  Lelia  B.  McBride  G.   A.  Dannelly* 

1883  Mrs.   S.  Alice  Cox  G.   A.  Dannelly* 

1884  Mrs.   S.  Alice  Cox  G.  A.  Dannelly* 

1885  Mrs.  Rosa  Perry  G.  A.  Dannelly* 

1886  Mrs.  S.  Alice  Cox  James  M.  Harkey* 

1887  Mrs.  Hettie  Penn  James  M.  Harkey* 

1888  Mrs.    Hettie    Penn  J.  R.  Donnell 

1889  Mrs.  Sallie  C.  Reynolds  J.  R.  Donnell 

1890  Mrs.  Sallie  C.  Reynolds  J.  Frank  Hopkins* 

1891  Mrs.  Ida  M.  Beloate  John  G.  Holland* 

1892  Mrs.  Ida  M.  Beloate  Rev.   E.  L.  Massey* 

1893  Mrs.  M.  C.  DeVaughan  Rev.  E.  L.  Massey* 

1894  Mrs.  M.  C.  DeVaughan  J.  Frank  Hopkins* 

1895  Mrs.  Jennie  B.   Hopkins*  R.  R.  Lewis 

1896  Mrs.  Jennie  B.  Hopkins*  R.  R.  Lewis 

1897  Mrs.   Alma   Strong  George  Thornburgh 

1898  Mrs.  Frances  M.  Stark  G.  W.  DeVaughan* 

1899  Mrs.  Jane  A.  Dixon*  Dr.  J.  B.  Ellis 

1900  Mrs.  Julia  M.  Gill  M.  T.  Biscoe 

1901  Mrs.   Julia   M.   Gill  Mark  P.  Olney 

1902  Mrs.  Blanche  Klock  Mark  P.  Olney 

1903  Mrs.  Jennie  A.  Ellis  John  M.  Oathout* 

1904  Mrs.   Alice  Brouse  W.  C.  Rodgers 

1905  Miss  Mollie  Morgan  Oscar  Meek 


THE  EASTERN  STAR  IN  ARKANSAS 


241 


Year 

1906 
1907 
1908 
1909 
1910 
1911 
1912 
1913 


Miss 
Mrs. 
Mrs. 
Mrs. 
Mrs. 
Mrs. 
Mrs. 
Mrs. 


Grand  Matron 

Ella  Leonard* 
Winnie  B.  Simpson 
Lillian  E.  Lee 
Lucy  B.  Thornburgh 
Nora  G.  Rushing 

Maud  Fuson 

Shelley  Sanderson 
Mattie  R.  Johnson 


Grand  Patron 

W.  B.  Sexton* 
E.  E.  Amnions 
R.  L.  Morgan 
W.  B.  Clark 
L.   W.  Mathews 
J.  E.  Hollis 
J.  O.  Jones 
J.  E.  Powers 


*Dead. 


GRAND    TREASURERS    OF    GRAND  CHAPTER. 


1876-80  Mrs.  M,  C.  Bradley 

1881-82  Mrs.  Nannie  L.  Nelson 

1883-84  Mrs.  S.  R.  Baldwin 

1885  Miss  Alice  Peterson 

1886-93  Mrs.   L.   O.  Donnell 


1894-95  Mrs.   Eddie  Martin 

1896-97  Miss  Myrtle  Hackett 

1898-1909  Mrs.  Cora  A.  Westerfield 

1910-13  Mrs.  Julia  M.  Gill 


GRAND  SECRETARIES  OF  GRAND  CHAPTER. 


1876-80        B.   B.   Bradley*  1897-1901  Mrs.  Jennie  B.  Hopkins* 

1881-85        W.  B.  Massey*  1902-04  Miss  Carrie  Hempstead 

1886-90        J.   C.  Higgs  1905-12  J.  Frank  Hopkins* 

1891-96        Mrs.  Hettie  Penn  1913  Mrs.  Nora  G.  Rushing 
*Dead. 


THE  SHRINE  IN  ARKANSAS. 


The  Order  of  the  Mystic  Shrine  was  first  introduced 
into  Arkansas  in  1889,  when  Marcus  L.  Bell,  Rufus  V. 
McCracken,  John  T.  Marsh,  David  I.  Mills,  Frank  Silver- 
man, William  D.  Vernon,  and  David  L.  Trimble  of  Pine 
Bluff,  applied  for  and  received  a  dispensation  to  organize 
Sahara  Temple  in  that  city.  The  charter  is  dated  April 
6  of  that  year. 

The  organization  of  Sahara  Temple  having  been  com- 
pleted, the  degrees  were  first  conferred  upon  Captain  Na- 
thaniel Terry  Roberts,  well  known  throughout  Arkansas, 
who  for  a  number  of  years  was  at  the  head  of  the  Confed- 
erate Veterans  of  Arkansas.  From  this  small  beginning 
has  grown  the  present  prosperous  Sahara  Temple,  number- 
ing 633  members.  It  owns  the  splendid  three-story  build- 
ing it  occupies,  which  is  handsomely  equipped.  The  first 
story  is  occupied  by  stores;  the  second  is  an  auditorium, 
and  the  third  is  devoted  exclusively  to  the  Shrine. 

There  are  136  Temples  in  the  United  States  and  Can- 
ada, of  which  Sahara  ranks  No.  48,  according  to  the  date 
of  charter,  which  makes  her  one  of  the  old  Mother  Temples. 

The  past  Potentates  of  Sahara  are:  John  T.  Marsh, 
T.  H.  Head,  W.  L.  Toney,  Edgar  Brewster,  T.  J.  Collier. 
The  present  Potentate  is  C.  H.  Puddephat. 

AL  AMIN  TEMPLE. 

On  December  14,  1904,  a  meeting  of  the  Shriners  in 
Little  Rock  was  held  in  that  city  for  the  purpose  of  organ- 
izing a  Temple  of  the  Mystic  Shrine.  Charles  E.  Rosen- 
baum  was  elected  chairman  and  John  B.  Cowpland,  Secre- 
tary, and  proceeded  to  effect  a  permanent  organization. 

The  first  ceremonial  session  wras  held  March  16,  1904, 
and  seventy  novices  initiated.  At  the  end  of  that  fiscal 
year,  April,  1905,  Al  Amin  had  a  total  membership  of  144. 
It  now  has  920. 

Al  Amin  Temple  has  adopted  the  custom  of  celebrat- 
ing Washington's  Birthday  with  a  ceremonial  session  and 


THE  SHRINE  IN  ARKANSAS 


243 


elaborate  entertainment.  She  was  one  of  the  first  Temples 
in  North  America  to  adopt,  as  a  part  of  her  by-laws,  a 
provision  prohibiting  the  serving  of  intoxicants  at  her 
banquets  or  entertainments. 

Al  Amin  owns  its  beautiful  Mosque  at  Twenty-first 
and  Main  Streets,  the  corner-stone  of  which  was  laid  by  the 
Grand  Lodge  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  on  the  28th  day 
of  September,  1912,  Mark  P.  Olney,  Grand  Master,  pre- 
siding. 

The  Past  Potentates  of  Al  Amin  are:  A.  E.  Bragg, 
J.  S.  Barkman,  R.  C.  Bright,  and  H.  S.  Spivey.  The  pres- 
ent Potentate  is  A.  L.  Smith. 

THE  ARAB  PATROL. 

One  of  the  important  arms  of  Al  Amin  Temple  is  the 
Arab  Patrol,  who  perform  those  famous  quick-step  ma- 
neuvers in  their  attractive  uniforms.  The  Patrol  went  in 
a  body  to  the  Imperial  Shrine  at  Atlanta,  Ga.,  this  year 
(1914)  and  attracted  favorable  mention. 

The  members  of  the  Patrol  are : 

OFFICERS. 

R.  M.  Pearson,  Captain.  G.  G.  Worthen,  Second  Lieutenant. 

T.  C.  Treadway,  First  Lieutenant.        C.  Calcote,  Secretary  and  Treasurer. 

PRIVATES. 


Charles  T.  Abeles 
William  C.  Adamson 
A.  A.  Adler 
H.   W.  Anderson 
F.    A.  Banks 
Leftridge  Basham 
W.  W.  Bentley 
William  Beck 
Noland  Bias's 
J.   H.  Belford 
William  R.  Bathurst 
R.   E.  Bishop 
William  C.  Bond 
L.  G.  Brown 
C.   G.  Butler 

 Brightfield 

C.  Calcote 
Frank  Collins 
F.   J.  Cornil 
F.  J.  Darragh 
George    P.  Davidson 
J.  L.  Dibrell 


R,  M.  Enders 
L.   P.  Fraser 
G.    H.  Ferrell 
Theodore  Freedman 
Guy  Fulk 
J.  J.  Fisher 
G.   B.  Fletcher 
W.   T.  Gattis 
Isaac  Goldstein 
Houston  Gean 
Errett  Hamilton 
J.  M.  Haislip 
Max  Heiman 
J.   H.  Harris 
A.   E.  Harris 
T.  H.  Harris 
Herman  Housner 

G.  M.  Holmes 
F.  E.  Howsen 

H.  P.  Hopkins 
J.  F.  Houck 

R.  H.  Kaufman 


George  Krause 
George  Krickerberg 
H.  C.  Kolbe 
J.  G.  Lawrence 
Alfred  Leymer 
M.  B.  Lasker 
R.  W.  Lynch 
C.  W.  Lyman 
W.  E.  McLain 
J    W.  Mehaffy 
J*.  L.  Murphey 
C.  E.  Munn 

G.  T.  Owens 

C.  F.  O'Neal 
J.  E.  Parsons 
S.  C.  Poage 

D.  W.  Roberts 
W.  W.  Sellers 

H.  A.  Sharp 
J.  S.  Speed 

E.  W.  Smith 
R.  E.  Sims 


244  FREEMASONRY— WHEN— WHERE— HOW  ? 


A.  L.  Smith 
W.  S.  Snider 
H.  S.  Spivey 
J  W.  Strawn 
S.  S.  Stewart 
James  P.  See 
J.  D.  Simpson 


Walter  Strong 
A.  R.  Stover 

D.  G.  Taylor 
W.  A.  Treadway 

E.  L.  Thompson 
E  F.  Valentine 
J.  W.  Vestal 


E.  S.  Vincent 
Y.  E.  Whitmore 
G.  F.  Williams 
R.  C.  Warren 
W.  G.  Winters 

F.  L.  Young 


INDEX 


Dedication    3 

Commendatory    4 

Preface    5 

Approval  of  Scottish  Eite  History   6 

The  History  of  Freemasonry   7 

Operative  Freemasonry   7 

Speculative  Freemasonry   37 

Capitular  Degrees   49 

Order  of  High  Priesthood   57 

Cryptic  Degrees   60 

Templarism    63 

Masonry  in  the  States   73 

Ancient  and  Accepted  Scottish  Eite  119 

Order  of  the  Eastern  Star  133 

The  Mystic  Shrine  145 

Poets  Laureate   148 

George  Washington  .153 

Albert  Pike  156 

Persecution — Morgan  Case  160 

Xegro  Lodges  169 

Masonry  in  Arkansas  174 

Capitular  Masonry  in  Arkansas  196 

High  Priesthood  in  Arkansas  205 

Cryptic  Masonry  in  Arkansas  210 

Templar  Masonry  in  Arkansas  219 

Scottish  Eite  Masonry  in  Arkansas  224 

The  Eastern  Star  in  Arkansas  233 

The  Shrine  in  Arkansas  242 


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